Iodine-initiated,solid-state copolymerization of tetraoxane with 1,3-dioxolane in the presence of methylal. V. Studies on molecular weight distribution of copolymer

The iodine-initiated, solid-state copolymerization of the tetraoxane–1,3–dioxolane-methylal system has been studied by measuring the molecular weight distribution of the copolymer. The molecular weight distribution of the copolymer is found to be strongly dependent on the addition method of the 1,3-dioxolane–methylal solution to tetraoxane. The copolymer obtained by the one-addition copolymerization has a molecular weight distribution curve that shows a very broad distribution, with a discernible shoulder; and the copolymer obtained by the continuous-addition copolymerization has a very sharp curve. Particle size of the copolymer also influences the molecular weight distribution. For the one-addition copolymerization, the larger the particle size of the copolymer, the broader the molecular weight distribution. For the continuous-addition copolymerization, however, the molecular weight distribution is nearly constant regardless of particle size. The dependence of the molecular weight distribution on the polymerization time and the concentrations of iodine, 1,3-dioxolane, and methylal is discussed in detail. These results suggest that this copolymerization system is characterized by a reaction that proceeds from the surface to the center of the tetraoxane crystals.