Synthesis of poly(1,2-butylene oxide-stat-tetrahydrofuran) by controllable polymerization over Sc(OTf)(3) for use in high-performance lubricating oil

Aliphatic polyethers are synthesized byring-opening polymerization (ROP) of the most common epoxide monomers, such as ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO). 1,2-Butylene oxide (BO) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) are potentially extended ROP monomers, which can give polyether unique properties. In this work, a series of poly(1,2-butylene oxide-stat-tetrahydrofuran)s (PBO-stat-PTHFs) with M-n, of 900-3700 g.mol(-1) were synthesized by cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) of BO with THF using strong Lewis acid Rare Earth triflates (RE(OTf)(3)) as catalysts and diols as an initiator at room temperature. PBO-stat-PTHFs product with yield up to 90 %, narrow polydispersity of D = 198) and low pour point (<=-53 degrees C), which can be used as a lubricant base oil and additives. In addition, PBO-stat-PTHFs have excellent miscibility with polyalphaolefin (PAO), which could significantly improve the PAO viscosity index. This study provides a mild mute to construct high-performance copolyether materials through cationic ring-opening controllable polymerization