Al(Cap)3 as initiator in the anionic polymerization of ε-caprolactam at high temperature

Mechanism for polymerization of ε-caprolactam in the presence of both sodium and aluminum caprolactamate was investigated at 171°C. The role of Al(Cap)₃ as an initiator was revealed. The apparent rate constant of propagation reaction decreased with the increase in the concentration of Al(Cap)₃, as the two different metal salts interact even at 171°C. The activation energy of the overall polymerization reaction with this catalyst system was estimated to be 41.18 kcal/mole.