Reactivity ratios in copolymerization

Chain transfer is kinetically equivalent to copolymerization. The Q-e and Patterns of Reactivity schemes used to predict reactivity ratios in copolymerization (Section 7.3.4) can also be used to predict reactivities (chain transfer constants) in chain transfer and the same limitations apply. Tabulations of the appropriate parameters can be found in the Polymer Handbook 3 ... 

One final point should be made. The observation of significant solvent effects on kp in homopolymerization and on reactivity ratios in copolymerization (Section 8.3.1) calls into question the methods for reactivity ratio measurement which rely on evaluation of the polymer composition for various monomer feed ratios (Section 7.3.2). If solvent effects arc significant, it would seem to follow that reactivity ratios in bulk copolymerization should be a function of the feed composition.138 Moreover, since the reaction medium alters with conversion, the reactivity ratios may also vary with conversion. Thus the two most common sources of data used in reactivity ratio determination (i.e. low conversion composition measurements and composition conversion measurements) are potentially flawed. A corollary of this statement also provides one explanation for any failure of reactivity ratios to predict copolymer composition at high conversion. The effect of solvents on radical copolymerization remains an area in need of further research. 

For copolymerizations between non protie monomers solvent effects are less marked. Indeed, early work concluded that the reactivity ratios in copolymerizations involving only non-protic monomers (eg. S, MMA, AN, VAe, etc.) should show no solvent dependence.100101 More recent studies on these and other systems (e.g. AN-S,102-105 E-VAc,106 MAN-S,107 MMA-S,10s "° MMA-VAc1" ) indicate small yet significant solvent effects (some recent data for AN-S copolymerization are shown in Table 8.5). However, the origin of the solvent effect in these cases is not clear. There have been various attempts to rationalize solvent effects on copolymerization by establishing correlations between radical reactivity and various solvent and monomer properties.71,72 97 99 None has been entirely successful. 

There are also reports of template effects on reactivity ratios in copolymerization. For example, Polowinski20S has reported that both kinetics and reactivity ratios in MMA-MAA copolymerization in benzene arc affected by the presence of a PVA template. 

What is meant by relative reactivity ratios in copolymerization process How the copolymerization depends on the relative reactivity ratios Discuss. 

The polymerization of a mixture of more than one monomer leads to copolymers if two monomers are involved and to terpolymers in the case of three monomers. At low conversions, the composition of the polymer that forms from just two monomers depends on the reactivity of the free radical formed from one monomer toward the other monomer or the free radical chain of the second monomer as well as toward its own monomer and its free radical chain. As the process continues, the monomer composition changes continually and the nature of the monomer distribution in the polymer chains changes. It is beyond the scope of this laboratory manual to discuss the complexity of reactivity ratios in copolymerization. It should be pointed out that the formation of terpolymers is even more complex from the theoretical standpoint. This does not mean that such terpolymers cannot be prepared and applied to practical situations. In fact, Experiment 5 is an example of the preparation of a terpolymer latex that has been suggested for use as an exterior protective coating. 

Table 2. Reactivity Ratios in copolymerization initiated by lithium compounds...

A Novel Method for Determining Reactivity Ratios in Copolymerization... 

This method is not affected by the side reactions described above. Elimination and addition of formaldehyde as well as cleavage of oxacyclic compounds and chain transfer by polymer regenerate predominantly Pi+, the desired active center. As noted above, fi is the more important reactivity ratio in copolymerizations of dioxolane with a large excess of trioxane. The value of can be determined conveniently by the de-... 

Fineman, M. Ross, S.D. Linear method for determining monomer reactivity ratios in copolymerization. J. Polym. Sci. 1950, 5, 259-262. Tiidos, F. Kelen, T. Foldes-Berezsnich, T. Turcsanyi, A. Evaluation of high conversion... 

Table 8.4. Reactivity ratios in copolymerization of various anhydro sugars 3,)...

One final point should be made. The observation of significant solvent effects on kj, in homopolynierization and on reactivity ratios in copolymerization (Section... 

On the other hand, butyllithium-aluminum alkyl initiated polymerizations of vinyl chloride are unaffected by free-radical inhibitors. Also, the molecular weights of the resultant polymers are unaffected by additions of CCI4 that acts as a chain-transferring agent in free-radical polymerizations. This suggests an ionic mechanism of chain growth. Furthermore, the reactivity ratios in copolymerization reactions by this catalytic system differ from those in typical free-radical polymerizations An anionic mechanism was also postulated for polymerization of vinyl chloride with t-butylmag-nesium in tetrahydrofuran. ... 

TABLE XIII Monomer Reactivity Ratios in Copolymerization of Chloroprene"... 

The practically most important copolymer is made from ethene and propene. Titanium- and vanadium-based catalysts have been used to synthesize copolymers that have a prevailingly random, block, or alternating structure. Only with Ziegler or single site catalyst, longer-chain a-olefins can be used as comonomer (e.g., propene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene). In contrast to this, by radical high-pressure polymerization it is also possible to incorporate functional monomers (e.g., carbon monoxide, vinyl acetate). The polymerization could be carried out in solution, slurry, or gas phase. It is generally accepted [173] that the best way to compare monomer reactivities in a particular polymerization reaction is by comparison of their reactivity ratios in copolymerization reactions. 

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