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Novel sub‐ceiling temperature rapid depolymerization‐repolymerization reactions of cyanoacrylate polymers
Author(s) -
Ryan Bernard,
McCann Gerard
Publication year - 1996
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.1996.030170404
Subject(s) - depolymerization , monomer , tetrabutylammonium hydroxide , polymer , polymer chemistry , chemistry , tetrahydrofuran , cyanoacrylate , polymerization , organic chemistry , adhesive , layer (electronics) , solvent
Dilute solutions of unimodal high‐molecular‐weight poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) (“parent” polymer) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 21°C underwent rapid depolymerization accompanied by simultaneous repolymerization of the unzipped monomer to yield lower‐molecular‐weight “daughter” polymer following addition of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH), a slow initiator of butyl cyanoacrylate (BCA) monomer. The rate‐determining step for the reaction was tentatively identified as abstraction of the terminal chain proton. Similarly, addition of TBAOH to a THF solution of BCA monomer resulted in initial formation of high‐molecular‐weight (MW) polymer that subsequently rapidly depolymerized with simultaneous formation of TBAOH initiated, low‐MW daughter polymer. The depolymerization‐repolymerization reaction is the relaxation process that occurs following perturbation of the monomer/high‐MW parent polymer equilibrium by low‐MW daughter polymer and proceeds at least 100°C below the ceiling temperature of the parent polymer.