Synthesis and hydrolysis of β‐cyanoethyl ether of poly(vinyl alcohol)

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was cyanoethylated by reaction with acrylonitrile in the presence of sodium hydroxide and quaternary ammonium halide. Quaternary ammonium halide, acting as a phase transfer catalyst, increases the degree of substitution (DS) of PVA. The DS also increased with increasing acrylonitrile concentration. Cyanoethylation of PVA up to 98% can be achieved under optimum conditions. The hydrolysis of β-cyanoethyl ether of PVA (CN–PVA) was studied. The rate of hydrolysis was affected by the sodium hydroxide concentration and the reaction temperature. The rheological properties of aqueous solution of hydrolysis product of CN–PVA were determined at different temperatures, and the flow activation energy was calculated. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 2771–2777, 1999