THE ROLE OF ALPHA-KETOLS IN THE LOW-SUGAR REDOX RECIPE FOR LOW TEMPERATURE EMULSION COPOLYMERIZATION

Abstract

It was found that the induced decomposition of peroxy compounds could lead to faster rates of polymerization or practical rates of polymerization at lower temperatures. In Germany polymerization recipes were developed containing a peroxy compound in the oil phase, a reducer in the aqueous phase and a metal carrier. This idea was transferred to America after the war and became the basis of the present recipes used in the production of cold rubbers. As reducers the most commonly used appear to be digested d-glucose or an excess of ferrous iron but recently the polyamines and other amine compounds have been found to be quite effective. The mixture of amine and sugar was better than either alone. It has been shown that this mixture will function in the presence of reactive monomers such as acrylonitrile. The role of such reducers is of considerable interest so that further studies were undertaken. The results obtained may be illustrated by acetoin. As the amount of acetoin is increased in the recipe the amount of ferrous iron required for maximal conversion in a given time is decreased. This is because at higher than the optimal amounts, although the reaction rate is still increasing, the catalyst system is rapidly exhausted so that the reaction dies at a lower conversion. The data can be explained by assuming formation of free radicals by the induced decomposition of the peroxide either by the acetoin, the ferrous iron, or a complex between the iron and acetoin. This free radical then initiates polymerization. The acetoin free radical residue can induce the further decomposition of the peroxide or possibly can reduce ferric iron to ferrous. Other compounds yield similar results.