Anionic polymerization of methyl acrylate

The homogeneous polymerization of methyl acrylate in tetrahydrofuran using a variety of sodium aryl catalysts has been investigated at ?75°C and ?30°C. The mode of action of each catalyst is discussed and its efficiency in producing high polymer has been calculated from the yields and polymer characteristics. Sodium trityl is the most effective catalyst at both temperatures. Dilatometry has shown that with sodium naphthalene at ?70°C, rapid initial polymerization to about 10% conversion in 4 min is followed by a very low rate period which proceeds at low temperature for at least 24 h when conversions up to 50% have been observed. Throughout this period a species is present which absorbs at 320 nm and which is immediately lost on addition of a proton donor. There is evidence suggesting that this dormant form of the poly(methyl acrylate) anion is an oxyanion. It is postulated that carbanions are formed initially and are responsible for the rapid polymerization rate. They also isomerize in an equilibrium reaction to form the unreactive oxyanions. The rate of further propagation is thus controlled by the value of the equilibrium constant which in this system is strongly in favour of the oxyanions. On the basis of this mechanism some rate constants have been calculated.