Catalytic chain transfer copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate

Abstract

Bis(aqua)bis((difluoroboryl)dimethylglyoximate)cobalt(II) (COBF) has proven to be a very effective catalytic chain transfer agent in the copolymerization of MA and MMA. The chain transfer activity depends on the fraction of MMA in the monomer feed and the total radical concentration. The polymerization can be described by a model that combines features of catalytic chain transfer for MMA homopolymerization and cobalt mediated controlled radical polymerization of MA. According to the model part of the COBF is covalently bonded to MA-ended polymeric radicals and cannot take part in the chain transfer step. The model can also account for the observed inhibition time that occurs at high chain transfer agent concentration and low fraction of MMA in the monomer feed.