Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate by Cyanocobalt(II) Complex with an Aqueous Solution Containing a Surfactant

Abstract

It has already known that cyanocobalt(II) complexes with various CN/Co ratios initiate the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in an aqueous solution containing a surfactant under an atmosphere of hydrogen or nitrogen. However, it was found that in a concentrated solution of a surfactant the polymerization velocity of MMA by the complex with the CN/Co ratio of 2 under a hydrogen atmosphere was faster than that by the complexes with the other CN/Co ratios. The inhibition of the polymerization by addition of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl suggested that the polymerization of MMA proceeded through a radical mechanism. It was considered that the polymerization was initiated by the donation of an electron from the complex with the CN/Co ratio of 2 to MMA. The effective surfactants for the polymerization were as follows; Nonionic: Tween series (except Tween 85), Brij series, Triton X 405. Anionic: Sodium dodecyl sulfate, Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate.