Gold Catalysis: AuCl-induced Polymerization of Styrene and n-Butylvinylether

Abstract

Polymerization of styrene, 4-methoxystyrene, and n-butylvinylether was achieved using simple AuCl as catalyst and AgPF6 as cocatalyst. High molecular weights and low polydispersity indices were obtained. Evidence for a cationic mechanism was obtained by reactions with nucleophiles. The mechanistic study also indicates a living polymerization with the gold(i)–alkene complex as the resting species.