ELECTROLYTIC FORMATION OF LIVING POLYMERS FROM STYRENE

Abstract

Electrolysis of solutions of styrene in tetrahydrofuran produced living polymers and the typical colors of the living anions were observed. NaAl(C₂H₅)₄ and NaB(C₆H₅)₄ were each found suitable as conducting electrolytes.When naphthalene was added to the solution in the absence of monomer the green sodium naphthalene complex was produced by electrolysis. Upon the addition of styrene monomer the orange living polystyryl anions were formed immediately. These changes were followed spectrophotometrically.At the anode a terminating species was formed in a corresponding ratio to the living ions generated at the cathode. A mixing of the anode and cathode solutions resulted in a destruction of the living species and decolorization of the solution. The substances responsible were believed to be Al(C₂H₅)₃ and B(C₆H₅)₃ for the corresponding salts.Possible mechanisms for the electro-polymerization reaction are proposed and discussed.