OXIDATIVE POLYMERIZATION OF 2,6-DIMETHYLPHENOL CATALYZED BY COPPER-MIXED AMINE SYSTEM

Copper - mixed n-butylamine/dibutylamine complex was used as the catal yst for 2,6-dimethylphenol polymerization. The effects of several vari ables such as copper salts, additives, reaction temperature and pressu re, and amine/copper ratio on the catalyst performance were studied. T he catalyst activity was found to be highly dependent on the specific combination of copper salts and amines, and copper iodide - amine comp lex showed an unusual long induction period. Polymer molecular weight was sensitive to the addition of methanol and surfactant, reaction tem perature and amine/copper ratio but insensitive to the pressure. Initi al polymerization rate was strongly affected by reaction pressure.