Abstract

AbstractThe rate of emulsion copolymerization of butadiene and styrene, with soap as emulsifier and potassium persulfate as catalyst, is extremely small at 50°C. The presence of very small amounts of high‐molecular mercaptans promotes the copolymerization reaction. The promoting effect is at a maximum for primary, secondary, and tertiary dodecyl mercaptans and decreases for mercaptans of either higher or lower molecular weight. The promoting effect is independent within wide limits of the amount of mercaptan added after the minimum quantity has been exceeded. Mercaptans which are poor promoters may be so because they fail to bring about chain initiation or because they aid in chain termination. The low‐molecular mercaptans which are poor promoters prevent the high‐molecular mercaptans from exerting their good promoting effect when a mixture of both types of mercaptans is used. The mechanism of the promoting effect of mercaptans upon the emulsion copolymerization of butadiene (75 parts) and styrene (25 parts) or upon the polymerization of butadiene alone is not yet clear.

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