Fluoride anions-catalyzed cage scrambling and gelation of POSS-pendant random copolymers was investigated. A series of POSS-pendant random copolymers was prepared using POSS-containing methacrylates and several vinyl monomers. FT-IR, solid-state 29Si-NMR, and swelling experiments of the gelation products showed that the pendant POSS groups underwent intermolecular cage-scrambling reaction, which proceeds via transient siloxane cleavage. Chloride and bromide anions also catalyzed the scrambling reaction under modified reaction conditions. Gelation properties depended on various factors such as the comonomers, reaction solvents, vertex substituents, POSS contents, and catalyst feeds.
- Akira Takahashi
- Tatsumi Okada
- Atsushi Kameyama
