Polyether polymers derived from 3,4-epxoy-1-butene

A polyether polymer comprising n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein the total value of n+m is 7 to 50, m/(n+m) is 0.40 to 0.75, and residues (1) and (2) have the structures:

• ##STR7## wherein residues (1) and (2) constitute at least 80 weight percent of the polymer.

A polyether polymer comprising n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein the total value of n+m is 10 to 30, m/(n+m) is 0.40 to 0.75, and residues (1) and (2) have the structures:

• ##STR8## wherein residues (1) and (2) constitute at least 80 weight percent of the polymer;
• at least 95 percent of the terminal hydroxyl groups are primary hydroxy groups;
• and the polymer has a polydispersity value of 1 to 1.7.

A polyether polymer comprising n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein the total value of n+m is 10 to 30, m/(n+m) is 0.40 to 0.75, and residues (1) and (2) have the structures:

• ##STR9## wherein residues having the formula --O--R.sup.4 or --O--R.sup.5 --O-- wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are residues of a hydroxyl initiator compound constitute at least 1 weight percent of the polyether polymer;
• at least 95 percent of the terminal hydroxyl groups are primary hydroxyl groups;
• and the polymer has a polydispersity value of 1 to 1.7.

Process for the preparation of a polyether polymer comprising n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein the total value of n+m is 2 to 70, m/(n+m) is greater than 0.30 and up to 0.75, and residues (1) and (2) have the structures:

• ##STR10## which comprises polymerizing 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in the presence of a palladium(O) catalyst and a nucleophilic initiator compound.

Process for the preparation of a polyether polymer comprising n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein the total value of n+m is 7 to 50, m/(n+m) is 0.40 to 0.75, and residues (1) and (2) have the structures:

• ##STR11## which comprises polymerizing 3,4-epoxy-1-butene at -40.degree. to 60.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst comprising palladium(O) and 2 to 4 trihydrocarbylphosphine ligands and an organic hydroxyl initiator compound.