Synthesis Kinetics of Polymer / Copolymer Latexes via Radical Ring-Opening Emulsion Polymerization of Vinylcyclopropane

Abstract

Radical emulsion polymerization of 1,1-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-vinylcyclopropane (ECVCP) was examined in the presence of potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator. ECVCP underwent both emulsifier-in emulsion and emulsifier-free emulsion polymerizations to afford the ring-opened polymer in good yields. The copolymerization efficiency of this monomer was also evaluated with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl methacrylate (BMA) as comonomers under the same reaction conditions. The emulsion copolymerization of ECVCP with a relatively hydrophobic monomer, lauryl methacrylate (LMA) was also investigated in presence of β-cyclodextrin hydrate (β-CD) as a phase transfer agent. Polymerization/copolymerization kinetics, change in particle size and olefin contents were followed during the reaction.