Polymerization of Vinyl Chloride by Organometallic Compounds. Effect of Moisture in the Monomer

The effect of moisture in vinyl chloride (VC) on its polymerization initiated with tert -butyllithium was investigated. The conversion curves thus obtained and the dependences of molecular weights of isolated products show that within range 6.5 - 80 ppm. vol. water in vinyl chloride and the mole ration t -BuLi/VC 0.0004 - 0.03 the conversion of vinyl chloride decreases, while the molecular weight of PVC increases. The distribution curves of molecular weights become broader with increasing water content in the monomer, and their maxima are shifted to higher molecular weights. The water content up to 40 ppm. vol. in vinyl chloride does not affect the heat stability of PVC. At higher water contents the stability decreases.