Synthesis of tetrahydrofuran polymers using calcined silica-alumina or beaching earth catalysts

摘要

Tetrahydrofuran is polymerized in the presence of a carboxylic acid anhydride and a solid acid catalyst that has been calcined at a temperature greater than about 600 DEG C. Calcined bleaching earth catalysts give THF polymer products having a narrow molecular weight distribution; calcining amorphous silica-aluminas improves their activity toward THF polymerization.