The reactive intermediates in the cationic polymerization of olefins: some questions

✍ Scribed by D.C. Pepper

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1965
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 488 KB
• Volume: 1
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0014-3057
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-3057(65)90042-x

✦ Synopsis

Abstraet~The polymerizations of olefins by Friedel Crafts halides and by strong acids have always been thought to proceed via cationic intermediates, but the precise nature of these intermediates is difficult to ascertain. They are less stable than the corresponding radicals in free-radical polymerizations, giving shorter life-times and a greater tendency to transfer reactions. Their structure, i.e. the degree to which they are polarized, or ionized or fully dissociated is still an open question, and may be expected to vary with the nature of monomer, catalyst and solvent.

Various formulations are reviewed in light of the recent results of Plesch, which appear to show that the intermediates in the polymerization of styrene by HC1Ogin CH2C12 are not ionized.