POLYMERIZATION OF 2-FLUOROBUTADIENE-1,3 AND PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS

Fluorobutadiene has been copolymerized with styrene in emulsion at 5 °C. The rate of mercaptan consumption, rate of conversion, copolymer composition, and the intrinsic viscosity of the copolymer have been measured. Reactivity ratios and regulating indices were calculated for this temperature. Copolymerization reactions at 50 °C. were studied in solution, and the reactivity ratios calculated. These were, for the following monomers as monomer 2: styrene at 5 °C., r1 = 1.61 ± 0.24 and r2 = 0.16 ± 0.08; styrene at 50 °C., r1 = 1.55 ± 0.10 and r2 = 0.50 ± 0.10; acrylonitrile at 50 °C., r1 = 0.59 ± 0.10 and r2 = 0.07 ± 0.03; isoprene at 50 °C., r1 = 2.05±0.19 and r2 = 0.19 ± 0.10; α-methyl styrene at 50 °C., r1 = 1.77 ± 0.19 and r2 = 0.38 ± 0.11; and methyl methacrylate at 50 °C., r1 = 1.54 ± 0.08 and r2 = 0.64 ± 0.08. Polyfluorobutadiene has a cohesive energy density of 90–100 cal./cc., a second order transition point of −62.5 °C., and some units formed by 1,2 or 3,4 addition.