n‐hydroxyphthalimide‐mediated oxidation of styrene by molecular oxygen.

Abstract

In this work, the N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) is used for the oxidative polymerization of styrene at 25–100 psi oxygen pressure at 35–55 °C to obtain a faster rate of polymerization than in 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)-initiated polymerizations. The rates for oxidative polymerization are determined from the oxygen consumption (Δp) against time plots and NHPI shows a reaction rate increased several fold compared with AIBN. The kinetics of the oxidative polymerization reactions are studied at various concentrations of oxygen, NHPI, AIBN, and monomer. The polymerization rate of styrene is almost the same when the NHPI analogue, N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHSI), is employed. A mechanism of oxidative polymerization in the presence of NHPI is suggested on the basis of the kinetic data and characterization results of poly(styrene peroxide) (PSP). The NHPI is efficient in initiation of the oxidative radical polymerization of styrene.