Achieving Low-Cost and Accelerated Living Cationic Polymerization of Isobutyl Vinyl Ether in Microflow System

Abstract

In this work, we proposed and realized a strategy for fast and low-cost living cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) based on temporary stability of propagating chain. It combines the decrease of added-base addition to increase the polymerization rate and the use of microflow system to enhance process regulation. To ensure the living characteristic, the concentration of added-base DO was allowed to be as low as 0.1 M for IBVE–HCl/SnCl4/DO initiation system and 0.5 M for IBVE–HCl/FeCl3/DO initiation system, respectively; the time to achieve 80% conversion could decrease to around 5 s. We also discussed the effect of reaction mode on the polymerization performances and recognized the mechanism and requirement to achieve living cationic polymerization at decreased added-base addition. These recognitions may broaden the horizon of living cationic polymerization and improve its commercial value with respect to productivity and cost.