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Indefinitely active aqueous cationic polymerizations, part I: Low cost, recyclable initiator systems
Author(s) -
Lewis Stewart P.,
Richards Jeffrey A.,
Damodaran Krishnan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2642-4169
pISSN - 2642-4150
DOI - 10.1002/pol.20190197
Subject(s) - cationic polymerization , polymerization , dispersity , chemistry , monomer , polymer chemistry , aqueous solution , polymer , ionic polymerization , chain growth polymerization , precipitation polymerization , chain transfer , organic chemistry , radical polymerization
This article describes the first example of an aqueous cationic polymerization that utilizes a low cost, safe, and highly recyclable initiator system (phosphotungstic acid) that retains its activity indefinitely. Quantitative yields of low to medium molecular weight polymers of p ‐methoxystyrene and N ‐vinylcarbazole are obtained within minutes to hours. Polymerization is first order in both monomer and phosphotungstic acid. Negatively charged surfactants suppress polymerization; whereas, nonionic soaps increase the reaction rate and reduce both polymer molecular weight and polydispersity index. Herein, the discovery of a new form of aqueous cationic polymerization involving the condensation of the alcoholic derivative of p ‐methoxystyrene, 1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)ethanol, is also disclosed.