Radical polymerization of styrene initiated by butyl halide catalyzed by CuXligand

Aim To explain the effect of structure of R-X and chemical active of CuX on the bulk radical polymerization of styrene. Methods The system of butyl halide R-X(X=Br and I)/copper halide CuX (X=C1, Br and I)/ligand (2, 2′-bipyridine (bpy) or triphenylphosphine (PPh₃)) were used as initiator. The polymerization kinetics of styrene was studied. Results When lower chemical active tert-butyl halides was used as an initiator and stabler CuX complexed by PPh₃ was used as a catalyst, the polymerization velocity and relative molecular mass of polymer would increase. But its relative molecular mass distribution was broader. 1-Halogenated butane and 2-halogenated butane did not, however, initiate the radical polymerization of styrene. Conclusion It is possible that radical polymerization of styrene is living one when halogenated compounds as initiator contain induced or conjugated substituents.