THE POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE BY ANHYDROUS PERCHLORIC ACID AND THE SPECTRA OF BENZYLIC CARBONIUM IONS

Abstract

A spectroscopic investigation of the reaction of anhydrous perchloric acid with styrene in methylene chloride solution has been carried out, together with a study of the spectra of styrene and its derivatives dissolved in sulfuric acid. From the results it was decided that the absorbing species formed at the end of the reaction in methylene chloride are derivatives formed from the cyclized end groups of the polymer chain, and not the polystyrylcarbouium ion. It is not thought possible to determine from spectroscopic studies whether the polymerization reaction goes via a true ionic intermediate or a perchlorate ester.