Anionic Polymerization of 2-Pyrrolidone by $SO_2/KOH$ Catalyst

$SO_2/KOH$ 촉매에 의한 2-Pyrrolidone의 음이온 중합에 관한 연구

Polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone was carried out through anionic mechanism using $SO_2/KOH$ as catalyst. The effects of KOH concentration, $SO_2/KOH$ mole ratio and temperature on polymerization were investigated. The conversion and viscosity of polymers were measured at various polymerization conditions. It was observed that as the concentration of KOH was increased, equilibrium conversion was also increased. It was, however, found that after the concentration of KOH was reached above 8 mole percent, the equilibrium conversion was decreased. The highest rate of polymerization and maximum conversion were obtained when $SO_2/KOH$ mole ratio was around 0.5. It was also found that the rate of polymerization and the equilibrium conversion were higher at $50^{\circ}C$. than at $30^{\circ}C$. but the viscosity of polymer solution at $50^{\circ}C$. was not so high as expected. The rate constant, $K_p$ of polymerization, was determined by least square method: the value of $K_p$ was observed as 16 liter/mole hour at $50^{\circ}C$. and 2.6 liter/mole hour at $30^{\circ}C$., respectively. The mechanism of polymerization was also discussed.