Polymerization reactions in the presence of a metal salt

✍ Scribed by Mullier, M. E.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1962
• Weight: 569 KB
• Volume: 58
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-3832
• DOI: 10.1002/pol.1962.1205816662

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

A kinetic study of a free radical‐initiated polymerization reaction in the presence of a copper salt has been undertaken. The results show that the polymerization of styrene initiated by benzoyl peroxide or α,α,‐azobisisobutyronitrile in either dioxane or dimethylformamide is not influenced by the presence of cupric octoate in the solution. The results show also that neither the initiation nor the reaction is affected when the cupric octoate is present. In contrast, the polymerization of styrene initiated by tert‐butyl hydroperoxide in dioxane is strongly influenced by the presence of cupric octoate in the solution. The results obtained can be partially explained by assuming the formation of a complex between the hydroperoxide and cupric octoate. At low concentration of copper salt and hydroperoxide, the rate of polymerization can be represented by an equation. Moreover, the values of the intrinsic viscosities of the polymers obtained show that the total chain transfer constant is not affected by the ratio tert‐butyl hydroperoxide/cupric octoate.