Kinetics of the Polymerization of Styrene by Friedel–Crafts Catalysts
ALTHOUGH the mechanisms and kinetics of the free-radical catalysed polymerization of styrene have been fairly extensively investigated1,2, the polymerization employing Friedel Crafts catalysts has received much less attention. Williams3 has investigated the stannic chloride catalysed polymerization of styrene in carbon tetrachloride solution and shown that the overall rate of monomer consumption can be represented by the expression: where m is initial styrene concentration, x is styrene consumed in time t, b is initial catalyst concentration. He has also shown that induction periods are present. We are studying the aluminium chloride catalysed polymerization of styrene in carbon tetrachloride solution from a kinetic point of view, and it is proposed to summarize here the principal conclusions reached to date.
Olefin Polymerizations and Copolymerizations with Aluminum Alkyl-Cocatalyst Systems. IV. The Polymerization of Styrene
Abstract The mechanism of cationic styrene polymerization with the AlEt2Cl/RCl (R = alkyl or aryl) catalyst-cocatalyst system has been investigated. Polymerization initiation, i.e., cocatalyst efficiency, is apparently determined by the relative stability and/or concentration of the initiating carbonium ions provided by the cocatalyst RCl. Whereas n-butyl, isopropyl, and sec-butyl chlorides exhibit low cocatalyst efficiencies because of low ion concentrations, triphenyl methyl chloride is a poor cocatalyst because the stability of the derivative triphenyl methyl ion is much higher than that of the propagating styryl ion. Alkyl halides that give ions of intermediate stability are efficient cocatalysts. Isobutyl chloride and benzyl chloride seem to be exceptions and the reasons for this are discussed. A general simple scheme of the polymerization mechanism is proposed.
Interaction of Diclofop-Methyl and MCPA on Wild Oats (Avena fatua)
Diclofop-methyl {methyl 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy] propanoate} loses part of its activity on wild oats (Avena fatua L.) when it is applied in combination with ester or amine formulations of MCPA {[4-chloro-o-tolyl)oxy] acetic acid.} Uptake of diclofop-methyl is reduced in the presence of commercial formulations of MCPA, particularly amine formulations, which are only partly compatible with the diclofop-methyl formulation. With added MCPA, regardless of formulation, hydrolysis of diclofop-methyl to the acid diclofop is slowed down, both in intact wild oat plants and in a crude leaf extract. At the same time, conversion of any acid formed to inactive conjugates is accelerated in the presence of MCPA. It is concluded that the loss of activity of diclofop-methyl by MCPA can be accounted for by the effects of MCPA on uptake and metabolic conversion of diclofop-methyl.