Toluene → Styrene

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 17.0 parts 2-vinyl-2-imidazoline, 43.0 parts of styrene and 140.0 parts of toluene is prepared in a suitable polymerization vessel equipped with means for stirring and deaeration and temperature controls. After deaeration for 1 hour with a stream of nitrogen, the temperature is raised to 60° C. and polymerization is initiated by the addition of 100 ppm (based on total weight of imidazoline) of azobisisobutyronitrile as a 1.0% solution in methanol. After allowing the polymerization to proceed overnight at a temperature of 60°-70° C., the polymer is precipitated from the resulting viscous solution by pouring it into an excess of methanol with vigorous stirring. The resultant yellowish colored polymer is redissolved in toluene and then reprecipitated once more by pouring into methanol. IR and NMR analysis of dried polymer show about 75 mole percent styrene and 25 mole percent 2-vinyl-2-imidazoline incorporated into the copolymer. A sample of the polymer is an effective sizing agent for 50/50 Albacel-Astracel pulp (bleached hardwood-softwood Kraft pulp).

Provenance & Evidence