Polymerization of isobutene in homogeneous systems

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Abstract
The homophase polymerization of isobutene in pentane solution with AlCl3 catalyst solutions has been studied at −78°C. The DP of isobutene increases with increasing amounts of pentane present. Below about 10% monomer content the polymerization is completely homogeneous. The reaction is extremely fast, and conversions and molecular weights do not change after the introduction of catalyst. Only when more catalyst is added can the reaction proceed to higher conversions. A linear relation exists between conversion and catalyst concentration. The dependence of DP or the conversion has been established. The differential DP's increase until a well defined maximum is reached at low conversions. At higher conversions the DP starts to decay sharply. A hypothetical termination mechanism has been proposed.