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Polymerization of methyl methacrylate with Ziegler‐Natta catalysts
Author(s) -
Kapur S. L.,
Deshpande A. B.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760140406
Subject(s) - natta , polymerization , methyl methacrylate , polymer chemistry , materials science , catalysis , polymer , tacticity , methacrylate , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material
The polymerization of methyl methacrylate with Ziegler‐Natta catalyst, anionic catalyst and gamma radiation has been shown possible at temperatures below 0°C. A free radical mechanism is suggested in the case of Ziegler‐Natta catalyst which is known for a coordinate anionic polymerization mechanism. In view of this, the Ziegler‐Natta catalysts based on vanadium compounds were investigated for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. They were found effective for polymerization of methyl methacrylate at, and around, room temperature. The structure of the polymer was stereoblock. This apparently leads to the conclusion that the mechanism of polymerization of methyl methacrylate was not free radical but coordinate anionic. Similarly, the catalyst system of chromium acetyl acetonate and aluminium triethyl polymerized methyl methacrylate at and around room temperature into an highly stereoblock structure containing high isotacticity.