| Abstract: | The polymerization of styrene with two catalyst systems consisting of Al(C2H5)3 in combination with ZrCl4 or ZrCl3 has been studied. The rate of polymerization with catalyst concentration was first-order with ZrCl4 system and second-order with ZrCl3 system, but at higher catalyst concentrations in both cases, the rate progressively decreases and finally attains a low value. The rate of polymerization is, however, proportional to the square of the monomer concentration in both the cases. The overall energy of activation was 10.9 kcal./mole and 6.45 kcal./mole in these systems. The polymers obtained with ZrCl4 were of lower molecular weights as compared to those obtained with ZrCl3. The polymers in both the cases had amorphous character. |
