| Abstract: | The polymerization of vinyl chloride was carried out by using a catalyst system consisting of Ti(O-n-Bu)4, AlEt3, and epichlorohydrin. The polymerization rate and the reduced viscosity of polymer were influenced by the polymerization temperature, AlEt3/Ti(O-n-Bu)4 molar ratios, and epichlorohydrin/Ti(O-n-Bu)4 molar ratios. The reduced viscosity of polymer obtained in the virtual absence of n-heptane as solvent was two to three times as high as that of polymer obtained in the presence of n-heptane. The crystallinity of poly(vinyl chloride) thus obtained was similar to that of poly(vinyl chloride) produced by a radical catalyst. It was concluded that the polymerization of vinyl chloride by the present catalyst system obeys a radical mechanism rather than a coordinated anionic mechanism. |
