Catalytic reactivity of organometallic compounds for olefin polymerization. II. Vinyl chloride polymerization catalyzed by binary systems involving organometallic compounds

Abstract

Abstract The behavior of vinyl chloride toward various binary systems involving organometallic compounds was studied. Molecular oxygen, peroxides, quinone, and salts of silver or copper were used as the second component. Of the ethyl derivatives of boron, aluminium, zinc, and cadmium, the first exhibited the largest activity for the polymerization with the exception of benzoquinone as cocatalyst. Organic hydroperoxide seemed to be the most prominent cocatalyst. Thus, it was possible, by the use of the system of triethylboron and cumene hydroperoxide, to obtain polyvinyl chloride in fair yield at temperature as low as −65°C. Triethylaluminum was the sole compound which was able to induce vinyl chloride polymerization in cooperation with benzoquinone. The polymerization described in the present paper is considered to be a new type of the redox polymerization.