Reaction rate of crosslinkings by using a metallated polymer. III. Solvent effects on rate constants of grafting and intramolecular crosslinking reactions.

Lithium-metallated (styrene-p-benzylstyrene)copolymer was reacted with chlorine-terminated polystyrene as a crosslinker polymer in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (THF)–n-hexane at 25°C in the presence of lithium chloride(LiCl). The rate constants were estimated from the changes in the concentration of metallated polymer by photometrical measurements. As a result, the rate constant of grafting (k₁) showed a constant value in spite of a change in molecular weight of the crosslinker polymers and the addition of n-hexane. The rate constant of intramolecular crosslinkings (k_2intra) obtained in a mixed solvent (21 ～ 36 vol % of n-hexane) increased when the molecular weight of the crosslinker polymers and the extent of n-hexane were increased.