Reaction of aluminium chloride with poly(divinyl benzene) particles--a reaction kinetic study using infrared spectroscopy

Porous poly(para-divinylbenzene) and poly(meta-divinylbenzene) particles were synthesised from para-divinylbenzene and meta-divinylbenzene monomers with toluene and 2-ethylhexanoic acid as porogens. The residual vinyl groups in the particles were thereafter reacted using aluminium chloride with dichlorobenzene as a catalyst. The conversion of vinyl groups was followed by analysing polymer particles taken from the reaction mixture at different time intervals. Infrared spectroscopy both in the mid and near infrared region was used as the analytical technique. The intensity changes in the overtone absorption at 1628 nm due to the vinyl bonds were used as the basis for the quantification of the vinyl group consumption. Infrared spectra of the particles in the mid IR were also measured to understand changes taking place in the polymer matrix during the reaction. The results indicated that residual vinyl groups in these polymer particles were consumed during the reaction with aluminium chloride. The reaction of aluminium chloride with the polymer matrix was explained by proposing mechanisms for the formation of different products during the reaction. The complex formed between aluminium chloride and the residual vinyl groups seemed to induce addition of HCl to the vinyl group or leads to crosslinking and/or cyclisation in the case poly(para-DVB) particles. The reaction of aluminium chloride with poly(meta-DVB) takes place to a lesser extent.