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Comments on the paper “Living cationic polymerization of styrene monomers” by M.‐L. Yang, K. Li and H. D. H. Stöver
Author(s) -
Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.1995.030160311
Subject(s) - cationic polymerization , carbocation , monomer , styrene , covalent bond , polymer chemistry , polymerization , chemistry , halide , bromide , ligand (biochemistry) , polymer , photochemistry , copolymer , organic chemistry , biochemistry , receptor
The mechanism of cationic polymerization of styrene monomers leading to well defined polymers proposed by Yang, Li and Stöver is criticized. The growth does not occur on the “colorless nondissociated ion pair” represented as polarized covalent species but includes dynamic equilibration between covalent species and carbocations. In addition, ligand exchange between 1‐phenylethyl bromide and SnCl 4 leads to the formation of Lewis acids with much more labile Sn‐halide bonds. The observed colors are due to the generation of side products, presumable indanyl cations, and not to the alleged propagating free ions.