Acid catalyzed polymerization
US5948874A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC08F12/04
- WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention is an improvement in a free radical bulk polymerization process for preparing a high molecular weight polymer from a vinyl aromatic monomer characterized in that the polymerization is conducted in the presence of an acid catalyst having a pKa at 25.degree. C. of less than 2, or salt thereof, wherein the improvement comprises dispersing the acid catalyst, or salt thereof, in a (meth)acrylic acid or ester thereof, prior to contact with the vinyl aromatic monomer. The (meth)acrylic acid or ester allows the acid catalyst to be dispersed within the vinyl aromatic monomer without causing cationic polymerization. The acid catalyst, or salt thereof, catalyzes the free radical polymerization reaction such that high molecular weight polymers are produced in reasonable reaction times.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.