POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) GEL AS A NOVEL POLYMERIZATION MEDIUM - ANIONIC-POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL-METHACRYLATE

Crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide)-(PEO-N) is used as a novel medium for the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by t-BuOK and ethyl-alpha-lithioisobutyrate (alpha-LiEtIB) in toluene. Comparative studies with linear poly(ethylene oxide)-(PEO-L) are performed as well. It is found that PEO-N effectively binds both initiators, and the polymerization process takes place mainly in the gel phase. PEO-N accelerates the polymerization process initiated by t-BuOK enabling the formation of high-molecular-weight polymers with high yields. Part of poly(methyl methacrylate)-(PMMA) remains in the gel particles yielding semi-interpenetrating networks with amphiphilic properties. PEO additives do not influence profoundly the course of the polymerization, initiated by alpha-LiEtIB. The influence of PEO-N on the proceeding of the polymerization is discussed in some detail.