Conventional free radical polymerization in room temperature ionic liquids: a green approach to commodity polymers with practical advantages.
Free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene using conventional organic initiators in the room temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C4mim][PF6]) is rapid and produces polymers with molecular weights up to 10x higher than from benzene; both polymerization and isolation of products were achieved without using VOCs, offering economic as well as environmental advantages.
Hong
Kunlun
K
Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Zhang
Hongwei
H
Mays
Jimmy W
JW
Visser
Ann E
AE
Brazel
Christopher S
CS
Holbrey
John D
JD
Reichert
W Matthew
WM
Rogers
Robin D
RD
D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents; D020058:Styrene / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
C412621:1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate; D005609:Free Radicals; D007093:Imidazoles; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; D020058:Styrene; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide