Mercaptans as promoters and modifiers in emulsion copolymerization of butadiene and styrene using potassium persulfate as catalyst. II. Mercaptans as modifiers

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Abstract
A close correlation exists between the modifying effect of mercaptans in emulsion copolymerization of butadiene (75 parts) and styrene (25 parts) and mercaptan consumption during the polymerization. A procedure is described for the rapid amperometric titration of mercaptans in latices. Mercaptan disappearance curves (i.e., mercaptan used at various conversions) are given for a series of primary and tertiary mercaptans of widely varying molecular weight and of two secondary mercaptans. The consumption of (and modification by) primary mercaptans is affected to a much greater extent by the molecular weight of the mercaptan than that of tertiary mercaptans. The consumption of pure and of commercial n‐dodecyl mercaptan is greatly affected by the mode and rate of agitation during the polymerization, manner of preparation of the charge (preformed soap and soap “in situ,” separate emulsification of the modifier), dilution of the monomers with inert organic solvents, excess of free caustic in the charge, amount and kind of emulsifier, and the presence of substances which from complexes with the mercaptan. The consumption of tertiary dodecyl mercaptan is not affected by these variables. The difference in behavior between the two mercaptans is interpreted as a faster rate of solubilization into the locus of the reaction of tertiary mercaptans than of primary mercaptans of the same molecular weight. The disappearance curve of a mercaptan from a mixture of two mercaptans remains unaffected by the presence of the other mercaptan. At the same conversion the consumption of a mercaptan increases with decreasing temperature. Disappearance of mercaptan during the polymerization as a result of nonmodifying reactions is discussed.

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