Synthesis of Functional Polyesters N-(2,3-epoxypropyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole by Anionic Ring-Opening Polymerization

The functional polyethers of N-(2,3-epoxypropyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole (in up to 61% yield, M_w = 8.7–11.7 kDa) and copolymers with ethylene glycol methylglycidyl ether (M_w = 5.6–14.2 kDa) and ethylene glycol vinylglycidyl ether (M_w = 6.4–12.3 kDa) have been synthesized via anionic ring-opening polymerization in the presence of KOH without solvent. The polymerization involves the opening of the epoxy ring to deliver the linear polyethers bearing free tetrahydroindole rings and oxyethylene or vinyloxy groups in the side chain. The polyethers are soluble in ethanol, benzene, chloroform, dioxane, DMF, and DMSO. The polyethers obtained exhibit the properties of high-resistance organic semiconductors: their electrical conductivity reaches 10⁻¹⁴ S/cm.