Polymerization and copolymerization of N-(2,3-epoxypropyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole

Polyesters of N-epoxypropyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole (in up to 61 % yield, Mw = 8.7-11.7 kDa) and copolymers with ethylene glycol methylglycidyl ether (Mw = 5.6-14.2 kDa) and ethylene glycol vinylglycidyl ether (Mw = 6.4-12.3 kDa) have been synthesized via anionic polymerization in the presence of KOH without solvent. The polymerization involves the opening of the epoxy ring to deliver the linear polyesters bearing free tetrahydroindole rings and oxyethylene or vinyloxy groups in the side chain. The polyesters are soluble in ethanol, benzene, chloroform, dioxane, DMF, and DMSO.