Anionic polymerization initiated by lamellar compounds of LiC12: 1. Kinetics of the polymerization of styrene and isoprene — initiator efficiency

The polymerizations of styrene and isoprene initiated by LiC₁₂ in cyclohexane are far slower than those observed in homogeneous media. The initiator's efficiency is estimated from a determination of the polymer molecular weight at differents reaction steps. Keeping in mind the monomer diffusion inside the graphite layers and in allowing some assumptions, some of the propagation rate constants were estimated. These values are much lower than those found in homogeneous polymerization. Temperature speeds up the reaction. The initiator's efficiency depends on the rate at which the graphite separates under the conjugated action of temperature and polymer growth.