Synthesis, Characterization and Application of a Multi-Site Phase Transfer Catalyst in Radical Polymerization of n-Butyl Methacrylate—A Kinetic Study

Abstract

The multi-site phase transfer catalyzed radical polymerization of n-butyl methacrylate (n-BMA) using newly synthesized and characterized 1,1,2,2-tetramethyl-1-benzyl-2-n-propylethylene-1,2-diammonium bromide chloride (TMBPEDBC) as a multi-site phase transfer catalyst was investigated in an aqueous-organic two-phase system at 60 ± 1°C under nitrogen circumstances. The kinetics and effects of various operating variables (monomer, initiator, catalyst, temperature, acid, and ionic strength) on the rate of polymerization (Rp) were examined in detail. The order with respect to monomer, initiator and multi-site phase transfer catalyst was found to be 0.50. A suitable kinetic reaction scheme has been proposed to account for experimental observations, and its significance is discussed.

Keywords:

• kinetics
• multi-site phase transfer catalyst (MPTC)
• radical polymerization
• rate of polymerization (Rp)