Copolymerization of Higher Alkyl Vinyl Ethers

II. Copolymerization in Bulk with Vinyl Acetate

Abstract

Vinyl acetate is copolymerized at 50°C with higher alkyl (n-octyl-n-octadecyl) vinyl ethers in the presence of lauroyl peroxide as the initiator. Monomer reactivity ratios of vinyl acetate (M₁) and vinyl ether (M₂) are as follows:
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The rates of conversion and molecular weights of the copolymers decrease, as the fraction of vinyl ether increases in the monomer mixture. The fraction of vinyl ether in the copolymer increases with the increases of monomer conversion, while molecular weight of copolymer decreases.