Potassium-graphite intercalation compounds as initiators for ethylene oxide polymerization in benzene and tetrahydrofuran

The ability of alkali graphitides KC₂₄ and LiC₁₂ to initiate the polymerization of ethylene oxide in benzene and THF has been studied. Polymerization by LiC₁₂ leads to small quantities of oligomers; KC₂₄ causes quantitative polymerization. Initiation and chain growth take place in the interlayer space and the solvent nature does not affect the polymerization. The orders of the polymerization with respect to monomer and initiator have been determined. The polymerization rate is constant up to high conversion and initiator efficiency increases with the yield.