Abstract
In this paper, a new method of ionic polymerization is described and designated as “slow growth polymerization.” An initiator solution was slowly added to a monomer solution to enable it to rest on top as a separate liquid phase and the polymerization was allowed to proceed without stirring. The initiation occurs at the interface between the solutions of initiator and monomer, and the polymerization proceeds from top to bottom. When methyl methacrylate was polymerized by this method, using butyllithium as initiator in toluene, the molecular weight and isotacticity of the polymer formed were much higher than those of the polymer obtained by the ordinary method. The mechanism for the increase in the isotacticity is discussed in some detail.
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Hatada, K., Furomoto, M., Kitayama, T. et al. Slow Growth Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate in Toluene by Butyllithium. Polym J 12, 193–199 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1295/polymj.12.193
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1295/polymj.12.193