Vinyl-gem-dichlorocyclopanes in radical polymerization

Vinyl-gem-dichlorocyclopropanes in the presence of radical type initiators undergo isomerizational homo-and copolymerization with vinyl monomers to form copolymers with the random distribution of monomer units in the macrochain. As compared to vinyl monomers like methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, and styrene they are considerably less active. By means of C-13 NMR spectroscopy it was shown that vinyl-gem-dichlorocyclopropanes polymerized forming steroblock polymers of mainly trans-structure.