Initiation of radical polymerization with radicals produced from thermolyzed alkene ozonates

• Published in: Designed monomers and polymers Vol. 5; no. 2-3; pp. 233 - 243
• Main Authors: Cunliffe, D., Lockley, J., Ebdon, J. R., Rimmer, S., Tabner, B. J.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Lieden Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2002; VSP
• Subjects: Applied sciences; block copolymer; emulsion polymerization; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; ozonolysis; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymerization; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; radical polymerization; Ozonolysis; Pyrolysis; Breakdown initiation; In situ; Priming activity; Methyl methacrylate polymer; Experimental study; Methyl methacrylate copolymer; Solution polymerization; Isobutene polymer; Radical catalyst; Initiator polymer; Free radical polymerization; Emulsion polymerization; Diblock copolymer; Isobutene copolymer; Reaction mechanism; Methyl methacrylate; Chemical synthesis; Organic ozonide
• ISSN: 1385-772X; 1568-5551; 1568-5551
• DOI: 10.1163/156855502760157953

Alkenes react with ozone to produce a distribution of peroxidic compounds that upon thermolysis can produce radicals and these radicals have been used to polymerize vinyl monomers such as MMA, styrene, vinyl acetate and N-vinyl pyrrolidinone. The process can also be carried out in aqueous emulsion. Ozonolysis of the sulfate surfactant, used in emulsion polymerization, also produces species that can be used as a radical initiator. The alkene can also be part of a polymer chain. Ozonolysis/thermolysis produces a macroradical, which can be used to prepare block copolymers. For example, thermolysis following ozonolysis of alkene functional polyisobutene (PIB) produced PIB macroradicals. Styrene was successfully polymerized with these PIB-ozonates and has been shown to be incorporated as an isobutene/styrene block copolymer. However, although MMA could also be polymerized by the PIB-ozonate, the resulting PMMA was found not to be attached to the PIB.