Autocatalytic oxidative polymerization of indene by cobalt porphyrin complex and kinetic investigation of the polymerization of styrene

This is the first report on the oxidative polymerization of indene using co balt(II) tetraphenyl porphyrin pyridine [Co(II)TPP(Py)] complex, which led to the formation of poly(indene peroxide), PINDP, having narrow polydispers ity. The polymerization was carried out at room temperature and low oxygen pressure. The dual behavior of Co(II)TPP(Py) as a dioxygen carrier as well as an initiator was investigated. The mechanism of polymerization is descri bed and supported from the kinetic analysis, UV-visible, ESR, and H-1 NMR s tudies. The rate of formation of PINDP is higher for Co(II)TPP(Py) catalyze d polymerization compared to the usual free radical, AIBN, initiated polyme rization. The stability of PINDP was estimated from its rate of degradation and compared with other related vinyl polyperoxides. The PINDP was further used as a peroxide macroinitiator for the polymerization of styrene. The p olymerization obeys classical kinetics. The K-2 values of the peroxide macr oinitiator was determined, which reveals that it can also be used at higher temperature for the polymerization. An "active" polystyrene was also synth esized, containing peroxy segments at the chain ends.