GB871295A - Polymerisation process - Google Patents

Abstract

Polymers of amides of the general formula: <FORM:0871295/IV (a)/1> in which m and n are each 1 or 2, k represents the integer 2 or 3, R1 and R2 are monovalent saturated hydrocarbon radicals containing 1 or 2 carbon atoms, and R3 represents a divalent saturated hydrocarbon radical containing 1 or 2 carbon atoms, are made by polymerizing the amide alone or in admixture with another monomer in the presence of a polymerization catalyst and in the presence of a medium saturated with carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is bubbled through the reaction mixture throughout the polymerization. The reaction may be effected in bulk, solution, or aqueous emulsion. When the polymerization is carried out in aqueous emulsion, conventional cationic or anionic emulsifiers may be employed. The catalyst may be a peroxy compound or azo-diisobutyronitrile, alone or in conjunction with a reducing agent. For solution polymerization, the solvent may be methylene chloride, benzene, dichlorethane, or a water-soluble aliphatic alcohol. The polymerization may be effected in the presence of plasticizers, organic or inorganic pigments or fillers, or in situ on a substratum such as a textile material. Exemplified amides are acrylic acid-gamma-diethylaminopropylamide, fumaric acid-di[gamma-dimethylaminopropylamide], crotonic acid beta-diethylamino-ethylamide, and methacrylic acid-gamma-diethylaminopropylamide. The other monomer may be selected from the following classes: vinyl esters, vinyl alkyl ketones, vinyl halides, styrene and substituted styrenes, acrylic and methacrylic acids and their esters and derivatives, crotonic acid, maleic and fumaric acids, isobutylene, butadiene, 2-chlorobutadiene and heterocyclic compounds containing a vinyl group. Exemplified comonomers are a mixture of acrylic acid alkylamides, acrylic acid-tert. butylamide, styrene, acrylonitrile, a mixture of acrylonitrile and acrylic acid-tert. butylamide, dibutyl-amino-ethyl vinyl ether, fumaric acid diethyl ester, ethyl acrylate, and isobutyl acrylate. The copolymers may be used for coating and impregnating textiles, fibres, and filaments.