A survey of the possible modes of' polymerization of trioxane is followed by a discussion of current ideas concerning the course of the polymerization. The polymerization, which involves ring cleavage, is characterized by a number of side reactions of the growing polyoxymethylene cations, such as chain transfer, transacetalization, and hydride shift.These reactions not only determine the nature of the endgroups and the molecular weight of the resulting polyoxyrnethylenes, but are also responsible for their chemical and molecular uniformity. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the monomeric formaldehyde formed during the polymerization of trioxane. The polyoxymethylenes obtained by the cationic polymerization of trioxane are similar in structure to those obtained by the cationic polymerization of formal- Polymerization of

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