The polymerization of acetaldehyde at low temperatures

Abstract An account is presented of a study of the production of a high polymer during the solidification of acetaldehyde. Details are given of an experimental technique which leads to reproducible results. It is shown that the kinetics of the reaction indicate that the active centres have long lives. Although various substances are strong inhibitors of the polymerization, there is no evidence that a catalyst is needed to initiate the reaction. Traces of acetic acid have profound effects upon the properties of the polymer, and it is considered that the acid causes multiplication of centres by inducing rupture of carbon-oxygen bonds in the polymer. The polymer is unstable at room temperature and the course of depolymerization has been followed using both the solid polymer and solutions of it. The depolymerization is catalyzed by acetic acid, and it is suggested that the differences between the stabilities of various samples of polymer are to be explained by differences in their acetic acid contents. Possible mechanisms for the polymerization are discussed.