Saponification of high molecular weight poly(vinyl pivalate)

Abstract

The saponification of high molecular weight poly(vinyl pivalate) (PVP) was examined in several solvents, and PVA of Pn=18000 and 99%DS (degree of saponification) were obtained by saponification in the absence of oxygen with KOH (6 equivalents per monomer unit) in tetrahydrofuran at 60°C for 15 min. In acetone, dioxane and methyl ethyl ketone, saponification was performed but marked degradation was observed. Saponification in benzene and dimethyl sulfoxide did not take place. NaOH was not useful because it cause marked degradation in any solvent. © 1991 The Society of Polymer Science, Japan.