Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate by Metal Alkyls

II. Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate by Dialkylcadmium

Abstract

The polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) catalysed by dimethylcadmium was carried out. Dimethylcadmium was also used as catalyst. The polymerization was accelerated by the presence of oxygen. Owing to mild reactivity, organocadmium compounds were rather less effective to VAc polymerization than organoboron compounds. In the presence of oxygen, thedegree of polymerization as well as the degree of conversion was increased, compared withthose obtained under nitrogen. The polymerization initiated by dimethylcadmium could be carried out at 0deg;C. But the polymerization using a large amount of the calalyst at the elevated temperature (60°C) was markedly disturbed by the occurrence of the reaction between dimethylcadmium and VAc. The white precipitate obtained by the reaction between dimethylcadmium and VAc initiated polymerization of VAc.