Radical polymerization of methacrylic esters involving various tin(IV) monocathecholate complexes

Abstract

The effect of tin(IV) monocathecholate 36CatSnR2•nTHF (36Cat is 3,6-di-tert-butylcatehol dianion; R = Me, Et, Ph, or Cl; n = 1 and 2) on the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate and {itn}-butyl methacrylate was studied. The role of the complexes in the synthesis of the corresponding polymers is mainly determined by the structure of tin o-semiquinone derivatives formed directly in the polymerization process. Tin(IV) monocatecholates can control the synthesis of polymers via the mechanism of reversible inhibition and, in certain cases, exert an accelerating effect on the polymerization of methacrylic monomers like Lewis acids.