An Attempt to Adapt Superacid Chemistry for “Living” Carbenium Ion Polymerizations

Abstract

Abstract The discovery that carbocations can be stabilized in super acid media, e.g., SbF5-SO2, etc., raises the possibility of “living” carbenium ion polymerization. Polymerization experiments with isobutylene and styrene carried out at high acid concentrations and in the virtual absence of nucleophile, i.e., under conditions conducive for living polymerization, failed to indicate a linear conversion vs molecular weight relationship and/or block copolymer formation. Additional model experiments with 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene substantiate our conclusions that “living” carbocation polymerizations are unlikely to be produced by superacid chemistry.