Heating, potential problem with optical

Chain polymerizations are less often performed in die bulk, because of problems with the control of the reaction. [An interesting exception is poly(methyl methacrylate), a polymer that is soluble in its own monomer (not all polymers are), and which is synthesized commercially by chain (free radical) polymerization very slowly in bulk (Figure 3-44). The resulting polymer has outstanding optical properties (clarity) because there are very few impurities.] In bulk polymerizations there is a tendency for the reaction mass to form a gel (i.e., have an extraordinarily high viscosity) and hot spots can develop. At the extreme, the reaction rate can accelerate to runaway proportions (for reasons we will discuss when we consider kinetics) with potentially disastrous (explosive) consequences. Viscosity and heat control can be achieved, if necessary, by carrying out the polymerizations to a relatively low conversion, with the unreacted monomer being separated and recycled. Another way to control the viscosity and heat transfer problems of chain polymerizations is to perform the polymerization in solution A major concern with this method is that chain transfer to sol-... 

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