The Effect of Various Cyclic Ethers on the Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

Abstract

The effect of ethers [propylene oxide (P0), tetrahydrofuran (THF), epichiorohydrin (ECH), 3, 3-bis(chloromethyl)oxacyclobutane (BCMO), and j3-chlorophenetol (-CPT)] on the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was investigated.
The polymerization rate in P0 and THF was the same as that in benzene.In the case of polymerization of MMA in the presence of ECH, BCM0 and j9-CPT, itwas found that the polymerization rate and the degree of polymerization increasedwith increasing amount of these ethers. These accelerating effects was clarifieddue to a decrease of the termination rate constant (Kr) with an increase in viscosity of the polymerization systems. The chain transfer constants (C8) of these ethers were determined from the degree of polymerization with a correction forviscosity term.