Styrene, polymerization, anionic radical

Figure 1.40. Chain scission (given as number of scissions, S, per number-average molecule) during thermal degradation of poly(styrene) polymerized anionically (a), M = 2.3x10, or by free-radical initiation (b), M — 1.5x 10. Adapted from McNeill (1989).

There are two problems in the manufacture of PS removal of the heat of polymeriza tion (ca 700 kj /kg (300 Btu/lb)) of styrene polymerized and the simultaneous handling of a partially converted polymer symp with a viscosity of ca 10 mPa(=cP). The latter problem strongly aggravates the former. A wide variety of solutions to these problems have been reported for the four mechanisms described earlier, ie, free radical, anionic, cationic, and Ziegler, several processes can be used. Table 6 summarizes the processes which have been used to implement each mechanism for Hquid-phase systems. Free-radical polymerization of styrenic systems, primarily in solution, is of principal commercial interest. Details of suspension processes, which are declining in importance, are available (208,209), as are descriptions of emulsion processes (210) and summaries of the historical development of styrene polymerization processes (208,211,212). 

The work function of the rubbing surfaces and the electron affinity of additives are interconnected on the molecular level. This mechanism has been discussed in terms of tribopolymerization models as a general approach to boundary lubrication (Kajdas 1994, 2001). To evaluate the validity of the anion-radical mechanism, two metal systems were investigated, a hard steel ball on a softer steel plate and a hard ball on an aluminum plate. Both metal plates emit electrons under friction, but aluminum produced more exoelectrons than steel. With aluminum, the addition of 1% styrene to the hexadecane lubricating fluid reduced the wear volume of the plate by over 65%. This effect considerably predominates that of steel on steel. Friction initiates polymerization of styrene, and this polymer formation was proven. It was also found that lauryl methacrylate, diallyl phthalate, and vinyl acetate reduced wear in an aluminum pin-on-disc test by 60-80% (Kajdas 1994). 

The most important hydrocarbon copolymers are styrene-butadiene rubbers (SBR) produced by free-radical emulsion or anionic polymerization. Anionic polymerization allows the manufacture of styrene-butadiene and styrene-isoprene three-block copolymers. 

Trifonov and Panayotov (41) attempted to carry out anionic polymerizations of vinyl monomers with semiquinones generated at a cathode. Since semiquinones inhibit free-radical polymerization, anionic polymerization alone should take place in the system. When electrolysis of quinones was conducted in a solution of LiCl or N(CaH6)4I in DMF with mercury cathode, the catholyte turned to red or purple red in accordance with the semiquinones. The presence of free-radical produced on the quinone molecule was proved from the ESR spectrum. When each of the monomers, styrene, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate were added to the colored solutions, polymers were obtained. 

The formation of ion radicals from monomers by charge transfer from the matrices is clearly evidenced by the observed spectra nitroethylene anion radicals in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, n-butylvinylether cation radicals in 3-methylpentane and styrene anion radicals and cation radicals in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and n-butylchloride, respectively. Such a nature of monomers agrees well with their behavior in radiation-induced ionic polymerization, anionic or cationic. These observations suggest that the ion radicals of monomers play an important role in the initiation process of radiation-induced ionic polymerization, being precursors of the propagating carbanion or carbonium ion. On the basis of the above electron spin resonance studies, the initiation process is discussed briefly. 

Monomers which can be polymerized with aromatic radical anions include styrenes, dienes, epoxides, and cyelosiloxares. Aromatic radical anions which are too stable do not efficiently initiate polymerization of less reactive monomers thus the anthracene radical anion cannot initiate styrene polymerization. 

Since polystyrene is one of the oldest commercial polymers with over 9 million tonnes/yr of sales, there have been thousands of patents issued covering all aspects of its manufacture and property enhancement. The styrene monomer readily polymerizes to polystyrene either thermally or with free-radical initiators (see Chapter 6 on free-radical polymerization and Chapter 8 on nitroxide-mediated polymerization). Commercial processes for the manufacture of polystyrene are described in Chapter 3 while process modelling and optimization of styrene polymerization is examined in Chapter 5. Styrene also can be polymerized via anionic and Ziegler-Natta chemistries using organometallic initiators. Using free radical and anionic polymerization chemistries, the... 

The active site in chain-growth polymerizations can be an ion instead of a free-radical. Ionic reactions are much more sensitive than free-radical processes to the effects of solvent, temperature, and adventitious impurities. Successful ionic polymerizations must be carried out much more carefully than normal free-radical syntheses. Consequently, a given polymeric structure will ordinarily not be produced by ionic initiation if a satisfactory product can be made by less expensive free-radical processes. Styrene polymerization can be initiated with free radicals or appropriate anions or cations. Commercial atactic styrene polymers are, however, all almost free-radical products. Particular anionic processes are used to make research-grade polystyrenes with exceptionally narrow molecular weight distributions and the syndiotactic polymer is produced by metallocene catalysis. Cationic polymerization of styrene is not a commercial process. 

First, suitable monomers are required for radiation-induced polymerization proceeding by a cationic mechanism. Isobutylene, vinyl ethers, cyclopentadiene and p-pinene polymerize only by a cationic mechanism, whereas a-methyl styrene polymerizes by both cationic and anionic mechanisms. Second, it is necessary to use the conditions of the existence of ions M+ (M—>M+ + e) and the stabilization of secondary electrons capable of neutralizing M+. This is achieved (a) by carrying out polymerization at low temperatures when the lifetime of ions increases and the activity of free radicals drastically decrease, and (b) by using electron-accepting solvents or additives. 

Anionic-Radical Combinations. Radical grafting of one monomer on the backbone of another polymer is well known and is the basis of an important commercial process for making high impact polystyrene. Styrene is thermally bulk polymerized in the presence of 5 to 10% (by weight) polybutadiene, the polymerization proceeding by a free-radical grafting path (70). 

The above examples show the complexity of the systems involving radical-anions derived from compounds of higher electron-affinity. It is not surprising, therefore, that benzophenone ketyl and other similar compounds do not initiate styrene polymerization, although they initiate polymerization of acrylonitrile or methyl-methacrylate. On the other hand, the monomeric dianions of benzophenone initiate polymerization of styrene as well as of other monomers, but not of vinyl chloride or acetate. Mechanisms of these initations were not investigated and presumably are complex. 

As ionic polymerizations with stringent reaction conditions are more difficult to carry out than normal free-radical processes, the latter are invariably preferred where both free-radical and ionic initiations give a similar product. For example, commercial polystyrenes are all free-radical products, though styrene polymerization can be initiated with free radicals as well as with appropriate anions or cations. However, to make research grade polystyrenes with exceptionally narrow molecular-weight distributions and di-block or multi-block copolymers of styrene and other monomers, ionic processes are necessarily employed. 

Some alkenes undergo polymerization by more than one mechanism. For example, styrene can undergo polymerization by radical, cationic, and anionic mechanisms because the phenyl group can stabilize benzylic radicals, benzylic cations, and benzylic anions. The particular mechanism followed for the polymerization of styrene depends on the nature of the initiator chosen to start the reaction. 

The alkyl-lithium initiated, living anionic polymerization of elastomers was described in 1928 by Ziegler. To polymerize styrene-isoprene block copolymers Szwarc et al., [1956] used sodium naphthalene as an anion-radical di-initiator, while Shell used an organolithium initiator. The polymerization mechanism was described by By water [1965]. 

Over 200 references describing spontaneous, and chemically initiated styrene polymerization chemistry are reviewed with special emphasis on advances taking place in the past decade. The review is limited to chemistry useful for making amorphous high molecular weight polystyrene in solution polymerization processes. Chemical initiators have been categorized into three basic groups as follws 1) anionic 2) mono-radical and 3) diradical. Analytical techniques used for determination of free radical polymerization kinetics and mechanisms are also discussed. 

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