Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate: Kinetics of the Reaction Initiated by the Mn(III)-1,2-Propanediol Redox System

Kinetics of polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by Mn³⁺/1,2-propanedlol has been investigated in aqueous sulfuric acid at the temperature range of 25–35°C. The rate of polymerization (R_p) and the rate of manganic ion disappearance (-R_Mn) have been computed. The effects of organic solvents, certain cationic and anionic detergents, added electrolytes on the initial rate of polymerization, and maximum conversion have been examined. Depending on the kinetic results, a reaction scheme has been suggested involving the formation of a complex between Mn³⁺ and the alcohol, which subsequently decomposed in an unimolecular step to generate the initiating free-radical which initiates polymerization and termination of the growing polymer chain by metal ion.     

Studies on the Kinetics of Polymerization of Styrene Initiated by Arsenic Trichloride

Abstract

The cationic polymerization of styrene initiated by arsenic trichloride (AsCl₃) in the presence of traces of acetic acid (co-catalyst) at -8, -4, and 0°C for 100 min using the dilatometric technique in an inert atmosphere yielded low molecular weight polymer. The rate of polymerization (R_p) is a direct function of the concentration of AsCl₃, monomer, and polar solvent, but inversely proportional to the polymerization temperature and nonpolar solvent. Hydroquinone has no effect on R_p Various kinetic parameters have been evaluated and a kinetic scheme is proposed.     

Gas-phase polymerization of propylene: Reaction kinetics and molecular weight distribution

Gas-phase polymerizations have been executed at different temperatures, pressures, and hydrogen concentrations using Me₂Si[Ind]₂ZrCl₂ / methylaluminoxane / SiO₂(Pennsylvania Quarts) as a catalyst. The reaction rate curves have been described by a kinetic model, which takes into account the initially increasing polymerization rate. The monomer concentration in the polymer has been calculated with the Flory–Huggins equation. The kinetic parameters have been determined by fitting the reaction rate curves with the model. At high temperatures, pressures, and hydrogen concentrations a runaway on particle scale may occur leading to reduced polymer yields. The molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the polymer samples could be described by a “two-site model.” At constant temperature the chain-transfer probability of sites 1 and 2 depends only on the hydrogen concentration divided by the monomer concentration. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 500–513, 2001     

Ionic polymerization in aqueous emulsion

A kinetic study of the anionic polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) in aqueous emulsion has been carried out in the presence of ionic additives. The rate of polymerization of several cyclosiloxanes has been compared, leading to additional evidence for an interfacial mechanism of polymerization. The emulsion process has been applied to the cationic polymerization of D₄ and of tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D^H₄) initiated by dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid. Very efficient for the synthesis of linear polymethylhydrogenosiloxanes (PMHS), these conditions did not seem suitable for the polymerization of D₄. The extension of the process to other heterocyclic monomers is discussed through the anionic polymerization of phenylglycidylether.     

Polymerization initiated by an electron donor–acceptor complex. Part IV. Kinetic study of polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by the charge-transfer complex consisting of poly-2-vinylpyridine and liquid sulfur dioxide

A kinetic study has been made of the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by a charge-transfer complex of poly-2-vinylpyridine (electron donor) and liquid sulfur dioxide (acceptor) in the presence of carbon tetrachloride. It is concluded that the polymerization proceeds through free-radical intermediates, as with the pyridine-liquid sulfur dioxide complex system. The association constants K of acceptor and polymer electron donors which range widely in their molecular weight were determined spectrophotometrically, and it has been found that both K and overall rate of polymerization R_p of MMA decrease with increasing molecular weight of polymer donor; contrary to this, molecular weight of PMMA formed increases with increasing molecular weight of the polymer donor. Other kinetic behaviors was essentially the same as in the pyridine–liquid sulfur dioxide system, i.e., R_p is proportional to the square root of the concentration of the complex and to the 3/2-order of the monomer concentration; R_p is clearly sensitive to the carbon tetrachloride concentration at low concentration of carbon tetrachloride, but for a higher concentration it is practically independent of the carbon tetrachloride concentration. It has been deduced from a kinetic mechanism for the initiation that a primary radical may be produced from the reduction of carbon tetrachloride by an associated complex consisting of liquid sulfur dioxide–polymer donor and the monomer.     

Evaluation of mass transfer rate during Ziegler-Natta propylene polymerization

Mass transfer which affects the rate of propylene polymerization with titanium trichloride–triethylaluminum, has been evaluated by use of a new method developed for this heterogeneous reaction. The polymerization was carried out with the usual flask reactor equipped with a paddle stirrer; the rate of gas absorption into the polymerization slurry was proportional to stirring speed and the reciprocal of the total amount of polymers produced. It has been confirmed that the polymerization rate separated from the absorption rate is purely kinetic (propagation), and an effective physical process, such as monomer transfer through a polymer film covering the catalyst surface, no longer exists.     

Polymerization of 1,P-Epoxides Initiated by Tetraalkyl Aluminates. I. Polymerization of Ethylene Oxide in the Presence of Sodium Tetrabutyl Aluminate

The polymerization of ethylene oxide (EO) initiated by NaA1Bu₄ is shown to proceed upon initial complex formation between monomer and initiator. In polymerization in toluene a high order of the kinetic equation with respect to initiator was found, indicating that chain propagation proceeds on dimers and trimers of the active center. An induction time of polymerization in THF is observed. It is necessary to reach a specific concentration of the NaAIBu₄.EO complexes which take part in the polymerization process. The wide molecular weight distribution, the high effectivity coefficient (initiation efficiency), and the polymerization rate increase with polymer yield are evidence of a polycentric polymerization mechanism.     

A new kinetic model for bulk polymerization of vinyl chloride based on two-phase hypothesis

A kinetic model has been developed for the bulk polymerization of vinyl chloride using Talamini's hypothesis of two-phase polymerization and a new concept of kinetic solubility which assumes that rapidly growing polymer chains have considerably greater solubility than the thermodynamic solubility of preformed polymer molecules of the same size and so can remain in solution even under thermodynamically unfavourable conditions. It is further assumed that this kinetic solubility is a function of chain length. The model yields a rate expression consistent with the experimental data for vinyl chloride bulk polymerization and moreover is able to explain several characteristic kinetic features of this system. Application of the model rate expression to the available rate data has yielded 2.36 × 10⁸l mol^?1 sec^?1 for the termination rate constant in the polymer-rich phase; as expected, this value is smaller than that reported for homogenous polymerization by a factor of 10–30.     

Soapless emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate in water in the presence of calcium sulfite

A kinetic study performed on the polymerization of the MMA-K₂S₂O₈-CaSO₃-H₂O system shows that two different shapes of the time-conversion curve were obtained according to the presence or absence of calcium sulfite powder in the reaction mixture. In the absence of the powder, the polymerization behavior is similar to that of the MMA-K₂S₂O₈-H₂O system reported earlier. An attempt was made to apply the kinetic model of the rate of polymerization and the self-nucleation model of polymer particle formation in soapless emulsion polymerization to the present system. One is able to express the experimental time-conversion curves reasonably well. The other can account for the number of polymer particles formed in polymerizations initiated with potassium persulfate alone or calcium sulfite alone but not that in polymerization initiated by both. In the latter case the rate of radical generation and the ionic strength were appreciably enhanced compared with the former. These enhancements might affect the mechanism of polymer particle formation; certain nucleations, such as an aggregative nucleation, might occur simultaneously in addition to the self-nucleation. In the presence of the solid phase the time-conversion curves were similar to that of emulsion polymerization rather than soapless emulsion polymerization, and the molecular weight of polymer formed was smaller than in the absence of the solid phase. It was shown experimentally that the rate of polymerization was remarkably enhanced by an increase in the solid content, whereas the molecular weight of polymer was only slightly affected. As a result, it is considered that calcium sulfite solid provides an important polymerization locus and probably also plays a significant role in radical generation.     

Stereoblock polymerization of methyl methacrylate with VOCl3?Al(C2H5)3 catalyst system

Kinetics of the polymerization of methyl methacrylate with the VOCl₃? AlEt₃ catalyst system at 40°C in n-hexane have been studied. A linear dependence of rate of polymerization on the monomer and catalyst concentrations as well as an overall activation energy of 5.87 kcal/mole were found. Characterization of the structure of the polymer by NMR spectra revealed the presence of stereoblock units. The mechanism of polymerization is discussed in relation to the kinetic data obtained.     

Dispersion polymerization of styrene in ethanol: Monomer partitioning behavior and locus of polymerization

A thermodynamic model has been proposed for the simulation of monomer partitioning behavior in the dispersion polymerization of styrene in ethanol. The monomer concentration in the polymer particles is very low (20 vol% at 5% conversion) and decreases further as the polymerization proceeds. It is independent of stabilizer concentration but is strongly dependent on initial monomer concentration. The partitio n coefficient ([M_p]/[M_c]) of styrene increases from 0.8 to 1.1 with incresing conversion. There are two polymerization loci in dispersion polymerization, namely the continuous and polymer phases. Competition between solution and heterogeneous polymerization has been observed in this system. The rate of dispersion polymerization is dependent on initial monomer concentration but is independent of initiator concentration at higher conversions. The molecular weight of the polymers produced by this process increases with increasing conversion and decreases with increasing initiator concentration.     

STUDIES ON THE POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLONITRILE INITIATED BY METAVANADATE-CONTAININ G ANION EXCHANGER-THIOUREA REDOX SYSTEM

The polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) in aqueous nitric acid initiated by metavanadate-containing anion exchange resin (PV)-thiourea (TU) redox system at 20—40℃. has been investigated. The overall rate of polymerization (R_p) is given byR_p=1.92×10~4e~(-6.860/RT) [AN]~(1.2) [PV]~(0.44) [TU]~(1.0)[HNO_3]~(1.0)The kinetic parameters differed from those of V~(5+)-TU system indicated that the generation of the primary radicals is mainly a difffusion-controlled reaction. The effect of macromolecular field arisen from the polymer matrix exerts a great influence on the polymerization process.     

Investigation of mechanism of initiation of polymerization of cyclic acetals by protic and aprotic acids

The kinetics of polymerization of 1,3-dioxolan and degradation of polydioxolan catalyzed by boron trifluoride etherate have been studied in methylene chloride solution. The S-shape kinetic curves is found to be due to the autocatalytic action of the macromolecules formed. Effective participation of macromolecules in the initiation process has been confirmed on the basis of the relationship of the rate constants of boron trifluoride etherate reactions with cyclic monomer and with the polymer chain as well as by the decrease of the induction period on addition of the polymer or its low molecular weight analog, methylal, to the polymerization system.     

Ethylene–vinyl acetate semi-batch emulsion copolymerization: Use of factorial experiments for improved process understanding

A good working knowledge of the mechanism and an appreciation of the effects the process variables have on the properties of interest are required for optimization and control of polymerization processes. Despite the importance of ethylene-vinyl acetate emulsion copolymers, limited kinetic information is available. Results from a series of factorial experiments are presented here which examine the emulsion polymerization of ethylene with vinyl acetate. Copolymers of up to 32 wt % ethylene have been produced at an ethylene pressure of 500 psig and a temperature of 20°C. The effects of the process variables on the rate of polymerization, copolymer composition, particle size and number, molecular weight averages, and gel content are discussed. The kinetic results obtained suggest process improvements for the production of homogeneous copolymer. Mechanistically, the locus of polymerization has been verified as the polymer particles and little water phase polymerization was observed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mechanochemical reaction of polymers by ultrasonic irradiation. I. Mechanochemical reaction in mixtures of polystyrene,styrene, and cyclohexanone

Mechanical degradation and mechanochemical polymerization in polystyrene–styrene–cyclohexanone mixtures have been studied by ultrasonic irradiation at 60°C. The number of fresh polymer chains after the degradation is 2 × 10^?5 mole l^?1 hr^?1. The rate equations for mechanical scission and mechanochemical polymerization have been deduced. The rate equation for mechanical scission was found to be in agreement with the expression of a previous paper. In addition, the rate equation for mechanochemical polymerization is not essentially different from that for the general radical polymerization in the presence of solvents. The kinetic chain length for polymeric free radicals in the polymerization process has been calculated. The mechanochemical polymerization of styrene was initiated by only one of the two kinds of end radicals after mechanical scission of polystyrene. The molecular weight distributions of the samples after the degradation and the polymerization have been compared and discussed.     

Liquid-phase polymerization of fluorine-containing esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid in a gamma radiation field

Basic kinetic characteristics of the process of radiation liquid-phase polymerization of fluorine-containing methacrylates and their hydrocarbon analogs have been compiled. The kinetics of the polymerization of fluorine-containing methacrylates is described well by a kinetic mechanism with quadratic termination of growing macromolecules and clearly expressed gel effect. The insertion of perfluorinated substituents into the methacrylate molecule evidently leads to a decrease of the rate constant of termination of the polymer chains. The kinetics of the polymerization of fluorine-containing acrylates, like their hydrocarbon analogs, differ significantly from the polymerization of maethacrylates by the absence of a quasisteady-state regime — the rate increases sharply from the very beginning of the process because of the diffusion character of termination.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1330–1334, June, 1991.     

Polymerization of acrylamide and methacrylamide photoinitiated by azidopentamminecobalt(III) chloride

The kinetics of polymerization of acrylamide and methacrylamide, photoinitiated by azidopentamminecobalt(III) chloride in homogeneous aqueous acid medium was studied systematically. Monochromatic wavelengths 365, 405, and 435 mμ were employed for irradiation. Polymerization proceeded without any induction period, and the reaction was followed by measurements of rate of monomer disappearance (bromometrically), rate of complex disappearance (spectrophotometrically), and the chain lengths of the polymer formed (viscometrically). The dependences of the rate of polymerization on variables like light intensity, light absorption fraction by the complex, wavelength, monomer concentration, hydrogen ion concentration, nature of the acid used (HClO₄, HNO₃, and H₂SO₄), etc., were studied. The rate of polymerization of acrylamide depended on the unit power of monomer concentration and on the square root of light absorption fraction k_ε and light intensity I. The rate of methacrylamide polymerization was proportional to the unit power of monomer concentration and fractional powers of 0.25 and 0.30 of k_ε and I, respectively. A kinetic reaction scheme is proposed and discussed in the light of the experimental results, and it has been concluded that (1) the primary photochemical act is an electron transfer reaction from the azide ion to Co(III) in the complex, (2) initiation of polymerization is by azide radical, (3) termination is by mutual destruction of polymer radicals.     

Free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of a ferrocenyl-containing iron(II) clathrochelate complex and initiators of various natures

Benzoyl peroxide-, lauryl peroxide-, and AIBN-initiated free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate has been studied in bulk and solution in the presence of macrobicyclic iron(II) bis(ferrocenyl borate) tris(nioximate). It has been found that the ferrocenyl-containing iron(II) clathrochelate forms efficient initiating systems with peroxides, whereas, in the case of AIBN, its presence has no effect on the kinetic parameters of the process and the properties of the resulting polymer. The use of clathrochelate complex-peroxide initiator systems accelerates the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and decreases the molecular mass of the polymer. The kinetic parameters of the process have been determined.     

SET‐LRP of methyl methacrylate initiated with sulfonyl halides

Single electron transfer‐living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) represents a robust and versatile method for the rapid synthesis of macromolecules with defined architecture. The present article describes the polymerization of methyl methacrylate by SET‐LRP in protic solvent mixtures. Herein, the polymerization process was catalyzed by a straightforward Cu(0)wire/Me₆‐TREN catalyst while initiation was obtained by toluenesulfonyl chloride. All experiments were conducted at 50 °C and the living polymerization was demonstrated by kinetic evaluation of the SET‐LRP. The process follows first order kinetic until all monomer is consumed which was typically achieved within 4 h. The molecular weight increased linearly with conversion and the molecular weight distributions were very narrow with M_w/M_n ～ 1.1. Detailed investigations of the polymer samples by MALDI‐TOF confirmed that no termination took place and that the chain end functionality is retained throughout the polymerization process. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2236–2242, 2010     

一步法络合型催化剂丙烯聚合反应动力学

<正> 丙烯聚合络合催化剂一般是由钛的氯化物和有机铝化合物及给电子体组成。Solvay型络合催化剂是用所谓三步法合成。我们采用烷基铝-醚络合物还原Ticl_4的一步法合成催化剂,不仅制备步骤简单,而且其性能也有所不同。三步法络合催化剂丙烯聚合动力学研究国内外已有报道。本文报道一步法络合催化剂的丙烯聚合动力学、聚合速率