Poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) is produced using a radical polymerization in presence of dicumyl peroxide in cumene. Most of the paper and chemical companies are talking about the end group which as cumene. Recently, I saw a manuscript where they are considering a methyl group in the alpha (initial) position which I think need to reconsider. So, what do you think, can we expect a final structure as the picture below?
Dear Abu Bakkar Siddique, the question is not clear enough, would please add the link to the manuscript in question. There is no methyl in the photo except those of the initiator. However, it you check the decomposition of DCP, methyl radical may be produced, and possibly it initiates the polymerization reaction. Please have a look at the following paper. My Regards
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2010.06.003
Abdelkader BOUAZIZ, Thank you very much for your comments.
I read paper saying about the end terminal group as cumene [ page-2, last paragraph in ref 1]. Even, in Sigma Aldrich, terminal cumene showed [2]. I also agree that DCP in cumene gives methyl radical. My question is how much accurate could it be if I show a methyl group instead of cumyl peroxide radical as the initiator? On the other hand can I claim the predominant/accurate structure as the draw I have attached? I was talking about a manuscript was still not published but a methyl group is in consideration which I need to reconsider.
[1] Nanopharmaceutical formulations based on poly(styrene-co-maleic acid)
[2] https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/aldrich/442402
The intervention of methyl radical is significantly important at high polymerization temperature. It depends also on the polar/apolar of the polymerization medium.
https://www.nature.com/articles/pj201066
https://doi.org/10.1021/ja953085q
10.1007/s10973-016-5797-8
Abdelkader BOUAZIZ I just got reply from Cray Valley, the supplier of SMA2000 who said that they always got cumyl group but did not find the methyl group in their analysis.
Yes, if the company is generous, at least they should mention their synthesis conditions, mainly temperature. Anyway, literature witnesses on the possible occurence of methyl radical initiation. Best of Luck in your work
Abdelkader BOUAZIZ ,
Companies never like to disclose their method, after a lot of push I just got that information. However, without any evidence.
The reference I sent you [1] says the polymerization condition like in presence of DCPO in cumene at 152 oC gives cumene terminated SMA. However, I did not notice anything about initiator.
Thank you for your kind discussion.
Kind regards!
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