We wish to report a new type of polymerization of the previously unexplored l-(2- chloroacetyl) lactams. 1-(2-Chloroacetyl)-caprolactam (1) was prepared using a modification of the procedure of Sekiguchi and Courtin.'%* Surprisingly, the purified low-viscosity liquid solidified to a glassy solid after 2-3 days at room temperature. The monomer could also be polymerized in a matter of minutes upon heating, with noticeable evolution of gas (HCI). A ...
