Some effects of cocatalyst structure on the anionic polymerization of -caprolactam

Abstract

A study of the effect of catalyst (base) concentration and N-acylcaprolactam cocatalyst size and substitution on the fast anionic polymerization of caprolactam indicated that a steric effect due to cocatalyst size exists, and perhaps an electronic effect due to cocatalyst substitution was noted. The rate of polymerization, degree of polymerization, and yield of polymer are related to these effects. It was also noted that at high base concentrations, the rate and degree of polymerization along with the product yields all decrease. These latter observations suggest that reinterpretation of some of the reaction mechanism data may be important if polymer degradation is not an appreciable factor during the reaction.