Telomerization of functional mercaptans with styrene

The telomerization of styrene with mercaptans was studied in order to prepare functional telomers with variable molecular weights, precursors of macromonomers. The study has shown that, under normal conditions, the reaction gives a mixture of polymers with high molecular weights and monoadduct of styrene and mercaptan. The kinetic study allowed the determination of transfer constants through various methods, their values being 7 for thioglycolic acid and 12 for C6F13C2H4SH. These very high values explain an untimely disparition of the telogen leading to the formation of polymers in a. second step. This distinctive feature is observed with mercaptans for all monomers bearing electron donating groups and may be explained by the Alfrey and Price Q-e system. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.