GB744185A - Polymerisation process - Google Patents

Abstract

Polymers of monomers of the formula <FORM:0744185/IV(a)/1> where X is hydrogen or halogen are made by polymerizing the monomers alone or with another monomer in aqueous alkaline dispersion in the presence of a soap emulsifying agent and a redox catalyst, at a temperature of -15 DEG C. to 30 DEG C. and in the absence of polymerization modifiers, and when the polymerization is effected below 0 DEG C., utilizing a monohydric alcohol as the antifreeze ingredient. The halogen-containing monomer may be vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride. Specified other monomers are vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, glycidyl methacrylate and mixtures. The oxidizing portion of the redox system is an organic peroxide of the formula ROOR1, where R may be alkyl, aryl, acyl, aralkyl, or cycloalkyl and R1 may be hydrogen, alkyl, acyl, aralkyl or cyclo-alkyl. Peroxides mentioned are cumene, hydroxy cyclohexyl, t-butyl, triisopropylbenzene, para-menthane, meta- and para-diisopropylbenzene hydroperoxides and meta- and para-alpha-hydroxy, alpha1-hydroperoxy diisopropylbenzene, benzoyl peroxide, t-butyl perbenzoate and mixtures. The reducing part of the redox system is a non-ionic organic reducing agent containing at least one hydroxyl group such as monohydroxy and dihydroxy acetone, dextrose, glucose, levulose, sorbose, fructose and invert sugar. The system may also contain compounds of metals such as iron, cerium or osmium which can exist in at least two oxidation states. The polymerization systems may also include other ingredients such as potassium pyrophosphate and potassium chloride which form complexes with the metal ion and/or reduce the fluidity and increase the stability of the latex. Potassium myristate is the exemplified soap.