Living polymerization of isobutylene initiated byp-dicumyl chloride/BCl3/n-Bu4NX systems

Summary The 1,4-di-(2-chloro-2-propyl)-benzene (pDCC)/BCl₃/IB system was investigated in the presence and absence ofn-Bu₄NX. The presence ofn-Bu₄NX (X=Cl or I) changes the mechanism increasing the living character of the polymerization of isobutylene in both cases. Whenn-Bu₄NCl is added, BCl₄ ^– is formed and as a common ion in excess it shifts the dissociation equilibrium toward the non-dissociated species. In the case of the addition ofn-Bu₄NI, an exchange reaction between the gegenions, i.e., BCl₄ ^– and BCl₃I^– has been recognised and a possible reaction mechanism is given.