HOMOPOLYMERIZATION AND COPOLYMERIZATION BEHAVIOR OF ALPHA-CHLOROSTYRENE

Homopolymerization of alpha-chlorostyrene using AIBN as an initiator a t 50-53 degrees C yields a polymer having a molecular weight of 2,000 in less than 1 percent yield. The structure of the polymer obtained wa s studied by H-1- and C-13-NMR, IR, and UV spectroscopies. The spectra were similar to that of trans-cisoidal poly(phenylacetylene), which s uggests that substantial dehydrochlorination accompanies the polymeriz ation. Copolymerizations involving alpha-chlorostyrene with monomers s uch as styrene and methyl methacrylate were conducted. A small amount of alpha-chlorostyrene was found to decrease substantially both the yi elds and molecular weights of the copolymers produced. The possibility that enchainment of alpha-chlorostyrene units in polymers leads to st ructures that inhibit vinyl polymerization was investigated by conduct ing studies on the capability of cumyl chloride to inhibit the polymer ization of vinyl monomers. The influence on vinyl monomer polymerizati ons of products obtained from alpha-chlorostyrene/styrene copolymeriza tions was also investigated. It was found that these materials were in hibitors for vinyl polymerization.