Polymerization of certain vinyl monomers in liquid crystals

Abstract

Abstract While studying the phase transition of vinyl oleate, it was proven that vinyl oleate possesses the liquid crystal state. The radiation‐induced polymerization of vinyl oleate was carried out in liquid, liquid crystalline, and solid states. The presence of double bonds in substitution causes very slow polymerization of vinyl oleate in comparison with other vinyl ester of saturated fatty acids. The structure of forming polymer greatly depends on the phase state of the monomer in the process of polymerization. In liquidphase polymerization, the transparent polymer was generated and it was an isotropic, viscous liquid. If the polymerization was done in liquid crystal or crystal state, the crystalline polymer was obtained. The melting point of this polymer t = 34‐38°C. The considerable mobility of chains in poly(vinyl oleate) crystal, the inability to keep its form, and data from x‐ray patterns permitted us to consider its state as a liquid crystalline one.