Perfluorocarbon fluids: Universal suspension polymerization media

The use of perfluorocarbon (PFC) fluids such as perfluorinated alkanes as universal suspension polymerization media is described. PFC fluids are inert, stable, and immiscible with most organic compounds and with water. In utilization of these unusual immiscibility and stability properties, cross-linked copolymer beads bearing reactive functional groups were prepared by direct suspension copolymerization of the reactive monomer with a difunctional cross-linker in PFC fluids. Examples of functional groups include isocyanate, hydroxyl, acid chloride, carboxylic acid, aziridine, and trimethoxy-silane. The suspension homopolymerization of methacrylic acid and cationic suspension polymerizations of vinyl ethers in PFC fluids were also achieved. The role of dispersants in these nonaqueous media was studied through the suspension copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene. The advantages of using PFC fluids in suspension polymerization over water were summarized.