Studies on anionic polymerization of lactams. Part II. Effect of cocatalysts on the polymerization of pyrrolidone

Abstract

AbstractThe rates of addition of pyrrolidonate magnesium bromide (PyMgBr) to N‐benzoyl‐, N‐acetyl‐, and N‐methylpyrrolidone were measured in solution in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The values found for the rate constants at 25°C. were 9.5 × 10−2, 2.8 × 10−2, and 5 × 10−4 l./mole‐sec., respectively. The rate constant for addition of PyMgBr to pyrrolidone was also measured and found to be 3 × 10−9l./mole‐sec. Possible causes for the large difference between the values of these constants are discussed.