Polymerization of Vinyl Monomer with the System Dibutyltin Dilaurate, Water and Carbon Tetrachloride or Cupric Ion

Abstract

The vinyl Po1ymerizations initiated by the system of dibuty1tin dilaurate (DBTDL) and carbon tetrach1oride(CCI4), or DBTDL and cupric ion(Cu(II))were carried out in the presence of water. It was found that the fomer system accelerated the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), acry1onltrile and styrene, but the latter system promoted selectively the polymerization of MMA. The polymerization conversion was not related to the oxidation-reduction Potential of metalic ion. There was the optimal amount of CCI4 or Cu(II) in the presence of Water and consequently, the maximal po1ymerization conversion was recognized. In the system of DBTDL, CCl 4 and water, the addition of water did not practically influence the polymerization.Moreover, the polymerizations with both system were confirmed to proceed through the radical mechanisms and the overall activation energies (E) were found to be as follows:DBTDL-CCl4-H20 system E=11. Okca1/mo1.DBTDL-Cu(II)-H2O system E=14.6kcal/mo1.