ii) elatively polar molecule that has a strongly nucleophilic
iii) lent derivative is readily excreted through aqueous
11.18A POLYETHER FORMATION
m methoxide (in the presence of a small
with glutathione.
Glutathion is a r
sulfhydryl (thiol) group.
The newly formed cova
pathways because it is substantially more polar than the original epoxide.
- Treating ethylene oxide with sodiu
amount of methanol) can result in the formation of a polyether.
etc. CH^3 OH
n +
Poly(ethylene glycol)
−
H 2 CCH 2
O
H 3 CO −+ O CH 2 CH 2 O − H 2 CCH 2
O
H 3 C +
H 3 C O CH 2 CH 2 O CH 2 CH 2 O −
C O CH 2 CH 2 OHCH 2 CH 2 OH 3 CO^
(a polyether)
1) This an example of anionic polymerization.
methanol protonates the alkoxide
ii) ing chains and, therefore, the average molecular
iii) lar
2) Polyethers have high water solubilities because of their ability to form multiple
i) , these polymers have a variety of uses,
H 3
i) The polymer chains continue to grow until
group at the end of the chain.
The average length of the grow
weight of the polymer can be controlled by the amount of methanol present.
The physical properties of the polymer depend on its average molecu
weight.
hydrogen bonds to water molecules.
Marketed commercially as carbowaxes
ranging from use in gas chromatography columns to applications in cosmetics.
