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A reaction in which small molecules (monomers) combine together to form a big molecule(polymer) is called polymerization .[1]
Different Monomers
polymerization
Polymer
fig.1
1.
i. ii. iii.
Classification of polymerization:
Step growth polymerization.[1] Chain growth polymerization.[1] Miscellaneous polymerization reactions.[3]
fig.1.1(i)
fig.1.1(ii)
fig.1.1(iii)
1.2
i. ii. iii.
fig.1.21(i)
ii. Propagation:
Additional monomer units are attached to initiated monomer species as
fig.1.21(ii)
iii. Termination:
i. ii. iii. It can occurs in three steps. Termination by Chain combination. Disproportionation. Chain transfer.
i.
Termination by combination:
By combining two active radical chains through covalent bond between them.
fig.1.21(iii)
ii.
Termination by Disproportionation:
It gives two chains, one is fully saturated from its one end while other is unsaturated from its one end.
fig.1.21(iii)
fig.1.21(iii)
i.
Cationic mechanism:
This mechanism is accompanied by using an electron withdrawing group as initiator. Initiator employs a true catalyst that is restored at the end of polymerization and does not become incorporated into terminated polymer chain. Any strong Lewis acid like BF 3 can be used as catalyst with a co-catalyst like water which is a true proton source. [2]
ii.
Anionic mechanism:
This mechanism is accompanied by using an electron donating group as initiator. Initiator may be any strong nucleophile, including Grignard reagents and other organo-metallic compounds like n-butyl lithium.[2]
fig.1.23
i.
Bulk Polymerization:
This method involves heating the monomer or monomer mixtures without solvent with initiator in a vessel. The monomer initiator mixture then polymerizes to a solid shape fixed by the shape of polymerization vessel. The main practical disadvantage is the removal of polymer from reactor and dissipation of exothermicity of polymerization. [3]
ii.
Solution polymerization:
In this method the reaction is carried out in the presence of a solvent. The monomer dissolved in a solvent. A large number of initiators can be used in this process. The solvent facilitates the contact of monomer and initiator and assist dissipation of exothermic heat of reaction. The disadvantage of this process is the chain transfer due to solvent so that low molecular polymers are formed. [3]
Chemicals: Methyl methacrylate, benzoyl peroxide, cetyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, polyvinyl alcohol
(PVA), water (medium). [4]
Procedure: 0.1g of benzoyl peroxide (initiator) is dissolved in 10 g of methyl metacrylate (monomer) contained in
a 250 ml round bottom flask. To this, 40 ml of distilled water having 0.002 g cetyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (or any other suitable quaternary ammonium salt type emulsifier) and 0.2 g of polyvinyl alcohol (protective colloid) are added. The contents of the flask are flushed with nitrogen gas and 0.2 g of PVA (protective colloid) are added. The constant temperature bath maintained at 751C. A medium stirrer is fitted and the contents are stirred uniformly. It can be seen at this stage that the monomer is dispersed in water phase as tiny droplets. The size of the droplets can be adjusted by controlling the stirrer speed. The experiment is continued for 8 hrs. At the end of which, fine spherical beads of PMMA settles at the bottom of the flask. The beads are filtered and washed several times with warm water to free them from the emulsifier / suspending agent. [4]
References
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Polymer Science by V R Gowariker, N V Viswanathan, Jayadev Sreedhar Polymer science and technology by Joel R. Fried Textbook of polymer science by Padma L.Nayak, S.Lenka Polymer synthesis Techniques by http://www.citycollegiate.com/organic1.htm