Mechanism of the initiation reaction in the processes of cationic polymerization of hydrocarbon monomers in presence of systems based on Lewis acids

Abstract

It is shown that in hydrocarbon solvents aluminium and alkyl halides like other Lewis acids do not initiate polymerization of hydrocarbon monomers in the absence of compounds able to act as cocatalysts. It is concluded that in slightly polar solvents equimolar complexes of Lewis acids with aliphatic alcohols, water or phenol posses insignificant activity while highly active centres from through specific solvation of the anion by the free Lewis acid or by another electron acceptor compound introduced into the system. It is shown how the nature of the Lewis acid, protonogenic cocatalyst and the additionally introduced activator influences the yield and molecular weight of polyisobutylene.