The preparation of polymer beads by photocationic suspension co-polymerisation of 2-(arylsilyl)ethyl vinyl ethers

Abstract

Polymer beads have been prepared by photocationic suspension polymerisation of 2-(aryldimethyl)silyl ethers in perfluorooctane in the course of our studies on polymer-supported desymmetrisation of 1-silacyclohexa-2,5-dienes. Good yields of 100–200 μm beads of satisfactory shape have been obtained using a perfluorinated co-polymer as stabilising agent. These beads have no permanent porosity although they have a high nominal cross-linking level. Their swelling in common organic solvents is comparable with those of Merrifield or TentaGel gel-type resins.