| Abstract: | This study examined the polymerizations of maleic anhydride in solution and in the bulk phase catalyzed by nanocrystalline titania or sodium acetate. Through IR and 1H‐NMR, the monomer and polymer were characterized, and the structure of the polymer was confirmed. Moreover, the polymer molecular weight was measured to be 400–800 in solution and 2000–3000 in the bulk phase. The mechanism of the catalytic polymerization was also investigated. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2868–2874, 2003 |
