GB888958A - Process for the polymerisation of organic compounds - Google Patents

Abstract

Organic compounds having one or more terminal or intermediate position carbon to carbon double bonds are polymerized in the presence of a redox catalyst system comprising a peroxy compound, an amine or amine salt and a phosphonium compound. Specified phosphonium compounds are benzyl triphenyl phosphonium chloride, carbethoxy methyl triphenyl phosphonium chloride and b -phenylethyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide. The peroxy compound may be benzoyl peroxide, and the amines may be secondary or tertiary aromatic or aliphatic amines or their hydrohalides, e.g. b -phenylethyl dibutylamine hydrochloride. Accelerators such as compounds of heavy metals, e.g. copper; organic sulphur compounds, e.g. ditolylsulphomethyl methylamine; compounds containing labile halogen atoms and alcohols, e.g. methanol, may be present, together with pigments, e.g. titanium dioxide, preformed polymers, and compounds which absorb ultra-violet light. Polymerization may be effected in bulk, emulsion or solution, and the products may be used in coating compositions, adhesives and for dental purposes. The example describes the polymerization of a paste of polymethyl methacrylate in methyl methacrylate monomer. Specification 792,812 is referred to.