We have found that B(C₆F₅)₃ in toluene can be an effective initiator for cationic polymerization of epoxidized fatty acid methyl esters and epoxidized oils with cis-disubstituted oxirane groups. The reaction is relatively fast, but controllable. The polymerization product of epoxy methyl oleate was a mixture of linear and cyclic oligomers of molar masses up to 27,000. MALDI-TOF analysis of oligomers of epoxidized methyl oleate revealed a clean pattern consistent with predominantly linear structures. The presence of hydroxyls from moisture, or resulting from epoxidation, seemed to initiate formation of linear polymers. A zwitterionic mechanism of polymerization was proposed. The process is suitable for fast conversion of epoxidized natural oils to useful epoxy resins.

我们发现B（C ₆ F ₅）₃甲苯中的芳烃可以是环氧化脂肪酸甲酯和具有顺式二取代的环氧乙烷基团的环氧化油阳离子聚合的有效引发剂。反应相对较快，但可控。环氧油酸甲酯的聚合产物是摩尔质量高达27,000的线性和环状低聚物的混合物。环氧化的油酸甲酯的低聚物的MALDI-TOF分析显示出与主要为线性结构一致的清洁模式。来自水分的羟基或环氧化产生的羟基似乎开始引发线性聚合物的形成。提出了两性离子的聚合机理。该方法适合于将环氧化的天然油快速转化为有用的环氧树脂。