Both α-olefins and maleic anhydride are considered non-reactive as monomers for conventional free radical polymerization. α-Olefins favor hydrogen abstraction over radical addition, creating thermodynamically stable allylic radicals. Maleic anhydride is classified as a 1,2-disubstituted monomer and owes its non-reactivity to its significant steric hindrance. However, these two chemistries are known to readily co-polymerize via electrostatic charge transfer complex formation; resulting in unique alternating monomer sequences in the copolymer backbone of molecular weights in the range of 2000 to 20,000 g/mol.<br/>Much of the recent researches into α-olefins and maleic anhydride copolymers have focused on their diverse properties and applications, with little focus on the polymer formation mechanisms or kinetics. In this paper we report the effects of two different α-olefins and the composition ratio of their combination on terpolymerization with maleic anhydride, especially focusing on conversion and molecular weight of the resulting terpolymers.

Effects of two different α-Olefins and the composition ratio of their combination on maleic anhydride and α-olefins terpolymerization

256th National Meeting (2018)

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