Butyl lithium-initiated polymerization of styrene. Effect of lithium butoxide

Abstract

The influence of lithium butoxide (BuOLi) on the butyl lithium (BuLi) initiated polymerization of styrene has been investigated. In benzene both the initiation rate and the propagation rate of the polymerization are decreased by the addition of BuOLi. The decrease in the initiation rate is a complex function of the ratio of added BuOLi to BuLi and the total lithium concentration. More than one complex between the two is necessary to account for the results. Most of the decrease in the propagation rate occurs at ratios of lithium butoxide to polystyryl lithium (PStLi) less than unity, while an excess BuOLi has little further influence on the propagation rate. It is believed that lithium butoxide complexes with both dimeric polystyryl lithium and its dissociated form.