The polymerization reaction in liquid sulfur dioxide. Part VIII. The effect of aromatic compounds on the cationic polymerization of styrene in liquid sulfur dioxide

Abstract

AbstractThe cationic polymerization of styrene in liquid sulfur dioxide was conducted at −10°C. in the presence of hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, p‐xylene, p‐cymene anisole, cyclohexane, and chlorobenzene diluted with carbon tetrachloride and with boron trifluoride etherate as catalyst. When aromatic hydrocarbons were added to the polymerizing system in liquid sulfur dioxide, both overall rate and degree of polymerization decreased with increasing of hydrocarbon concentration. On the other hand, the rate and degree of polymerization increased as the concentrations cyclohexane or chlorobenzene added increased. When anisole was used, polymerization was completely inhibited. The order of solvent participation n on the polymerization in liquid sulfur dioxide was obtained. The magnitude and the sign of n is discussed and explained by interaction of the added solvent with the active carbonium ion of the growing chain and with liquid sulfur dioxide.