Anionic Polymerization of Methyl methacrylate, and Block Copolymerization of Styrene with Methyl Methacrylate in Trimethylamine

Abstract

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate with metallic sodium or potassium as a catalyst in trimethylamine was carried out.
In the case of sodium as the catalyst, the rate of polymerization was proportional to catalyst concentration and monomer concentration. The overall activation energy was 3.0 kcal/mol. The molecular weight of polymers obtained was proportional to monomer concentration, but inversely proportional to catalyst concentration. The molecular weight increased with increase of conversion. Being different from polymerization of styrene, the stable living polymethyl methacrylate was not formed. When potassium was used instead of sodium, the rate of polymerization decreased.
Block copolymer of styrene and methyl methacrylate, furthermore, was synthesized from living polystyrene and the properties of the block copolymers obtained were examined.