CATIONIC POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE AND INDENE IN IODINE LIQUID SULFUR-DIOXIDE SYSTEM/

The cationic polymerizations of indene (Ind) and styrene (Sty) initiat ed by iodine (I-2) in liquid sulfur dioxide (SO2) were investigated. R eactions involving Ind were characterized by termination by neutraliza tion between the growing carbocationic species and the nucleophilic co unteranion, at low temperature. Sty polymerization is also termination -dominate and gives low conversion at -20 degrees C. High resolution g as chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HGC-MS) analysis of non polymeric material in the Sty polymerization suggested that initia tion of Sty polymerization involves the formation of 1,2 diiodide addu ct prior to initiation with HI.