Interfacial syntheses of polyphosphonate and polyphosphate esters. II. Dependence of yield and molecular weight on solvent volumes and concentrations of comers in basic polymerization of hydroquinone and phenylphosphonic dichloride

The interfacial polymerizations of hydroquinone with phenylphosphonic dichloride, in the presence of barium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, were studied and contrasted. Polymer yields and molecular weights were shown to vary with concentration of the comer reactants, with the comer ratio, and with the relative amounts of carbon tetrachloride and aqueous phases, but not with concentration of barium ion. The latter supports the impression that the reaction zone is situated in the aqueous phase. The method of Millich and Carraher, employing pH control, yields products of high molecular weights and some results which are distinct from those achieved with the use of sodium hydroxide.