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Polymerization Processes in Ionic Liquids. Cationic Polymerization of Styrene
Author(s) -
Baśko Małgorzata,
Biedroń Tadeusz,
Kubisa Przemysław
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.200650814
Subject(s) - cationic polymerization , polymerization , ionic polymerization , racemization , chain transfer , ionic liquid , polymer chemistry , chemistry , living free radical polymerization , chain growth polymerization , radical polymerization , reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization , living polymerization , styrene , materials science , copolymer , organic chemistry , polymer , catalysis
There is an increasing interest in using ionic liquids as solvents for polymerization processes. Most published data deals with controlled radical polymerization. It has been shown that ionic liquids offer several advantages for conducting Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP), such as good solubility of catalyst and improved k p /k t ratio. Ionic liquids are highly polar therefore they seem to be suitable solvents for conducting also ionic polymerization processes. In our preliminary communication we reported on cationic polymerization of styrene initiated by R‐Cl/TiCl 4 system in ionic liquid. To clarify the mechanism of this process, racemization of optically active 1‐phenylethyl choride (initiator and the model of dormant species) was studied and it was shown that in ionic liquid racemization proceeds even in the absence of coinitiator (TiCl 4 ). Because racemization proceeds through ionization of CCl bond, this explains the cationic polymerization of styrene initiated by R‐Cl alone (in the absence of coinitiator). Chain transfer, however, cannot be eliminated, therefore polymerization is not controlled.