Reply to the ‘Comment on “Lewis acid-surfactant complex catalyzed polymerization in aqueous dispersed media: cationic or radical polymerization?”’ by I. V. Vasilenko, F. Ganachaud and S. V. Kostjuk, Polym. Chem., 2024, 15, DOI: 10.1039/D3PY00661A

Abstract

In our previous work we concluded that the Lewis acid-surfactant complex catalyzed polymerization of styrene and other monomers in aqueous dispersed media does not proceed by a cationic polymerization. In a subsequent reply, Vasilenko et al. have suggested that this conclusion is incorrect. Here, we respond to the points raised by Vasilenko et al. and reassert our position that the experimental evidence is more consistent with a radical polymerization than a cationic polymerization and that achieving high molecular weight polymers by a cationic polymerization is not possible in aqueous systems at elevated temperatures unless chain transfer reactions are suppressed.