GROUP-TRANSFER POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL-METHACRYLATE CATALYZED BY POTASSIUM BIBENZOATE 18-CROWN-6/

Group transfer polymerization (GTP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was c arried out using potassium bibenzoate (KBB) in presence of 18-crown-6 as catalyst and 1-methoxy-1-(trimethylsiloxy)-2-methyl-1-propene (MTS) as initiator in tetrahydrofuran (TKF) at 25 degrees C. The performanc e of this catalyst was compared with tetrabutylammonium bibenzoate (TB ABB) catalyst. Broader polydispersity and lower initiator efficiency w ere observed for the polymers prepared using KBB/18-C-6 catalyst. Kine tic studies were conducted using both catalysts under identical condit ions to better understand the effect of the countercation in GTP.