Study on chain transfer to acetic anhydride of THF polymerization

Abstract

In the presence of acetic anhydride, the catalyst containing protons makes the polymerization complex.1,2 Thus, whether the living center, during the polymerization process of THF, transfers to the acetic anhydride is a difficult problem to answer. In this article, CH3COSbCl6 is used as the catalyst to avoid the interference of the protons. It is found that acetic anhydride is an effective chain transfer agent, by the experiment at different temperatures for two systems in the presence or absence of acetic anhydride, and by the comparison of kinetic behavior. In the system without acetic anhydride at the temperature of 7, 15, and 22°C, the propagation rate constants of THF, kp are 7.90, 14.23, and 23.35 10−3L/Mol.S, respectively. In the presence of acetic anhydride, kp are 1.51, 2.85, and 4.98 10−3L/Mol.S; and ktr are 2.04, 3.59, and 6.49 10−4L/Mol.S, respectively. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.