Cationic ring-opening polymerization of N -benzylaziridines to polyamines via organic boron.

This communication reports the synthesis of cyclic polyamines via the cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) of N -benzylaziridines initiated by tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane. The debenzylation of these polyamines afforded water-soluble polyethylenimine derivatives. The electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and density functional theory results revealed that the CROP proceeded via the activated chain end intermediates.