Charge Transfer Polymerization in Ionic Liquids

Abstract

Charge transfer (CT) polymerization of methyl methacrylate has been successfully carried out by employing n-butyl amine and carbon tetrachloride as CT initiators and hydroquinone as promoter in room-temperature ionic liquids (ILs) as solvents. The reaction rate and polymer yields at short reaction times are enhanced in the IL solvent compared to conventional solvents. The effect of various reaction conditions including concentration of amine, IL, and temperature have been studied. The polymers were characterized for thermal and molecular weight properties and compared with the conventional CT reaction.