POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE INITIATED BY 1, 1-DIPHENYLHEXYL LITHIUM,
Abstract
The low-temperature polymerization of methyl methacrylate in toluene solution was studied using 1, 1diphenyl-n-hexyl-lithium (DPHL) as initiator. Kinetic data, rates of lithium methoxide formation, and polymer tacticities are reported for experiments at 0, -30 and -80C. The molecular weight distribution of a polymer prepared at -30C was determined. These results are compared with those obtained under comparable conditions using butyl-lithium as initiator. Much simpler kinetic behaviour occurs with DPHL than with butyl-lithium initiator. The amount of lithium methoxide formed is much smaller with the former and is, approximately, a constant fraction of initiator as is the number of molecules of low molecular weight product. The polymerization rate is first order in both monomer and initiator concentrations as expected if the number of growing polymer chains is linearly dependent on initiator concentration. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 24, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0611644
Entities
People
- D. M. Wiles
- S. Bywater
Organizations
- National Research Council Canada