Recyclable, heterogeneous, lewis acid-mediated copolymerization of acrylate with nonpolar alkenes

Rong Luo, Ayusman Sen

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14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The copolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) and with nonpolar ethene and 1-alkenes in the presence of solid acidic alumina (Al 2O 3) as Lewis acid was investigated. The Lewis acid coordinates to the ester carbonyl group of the acrylate monomer and reduces the electron density in the conjugate bond, thereby increasing the reactivity of the radical generates from and making the radical more susceptible to attack by the electron-rich nonpolar alkene. The effect of added acidic alumina to the AIBN-initiated copolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) with ethene at three different temperatures was examined. The results show that the addition of the insoluble Lewis acid, acidic alumina to the AIBN-initiated homo- and copolymerizations of acrylate with nonpolar 1-alkenes led to increased monomer conversion and increased incorporation of the latter monomer into the polymer backbone.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7798-7800
Number of pages3
JournalMacromolecules
Volume39
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 14 2006

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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