A number of oligoacetylenic acrylates have been synthesized and characterized. The i.r. as well as the physical and chemical properties show the probable formation of oligomers possessing a proposed structure. The oligomers undergo further reaction in the presence of peroxide initiators to give crosslinked products. The i.r. spectra of the crosslinked products show that the oligomers undergo addition polymerization on the terminal double bonds. The triple bond in these oligomers is relatively unreactive under the conditions of polymerization, while that in the glycolic residue is reactive to a certain extent, as indicated by the higher per cent conversion of the oligomers having such unsaturated glycolic residue.
Copolymerization of various oligoacetylenic acrylates, methacrylates and esters with terminal allylic group with styrene give crosslinked products. The polymers and copolymers are pale yellow in colour, glassy, insoluble in organic solvents and infusible; the copolymers were more rigid than the homopolymers. The volume shrinkage of various oligomers during polymerization lies between 5 and 13 per cent.