Iodoform-mediated free radical emulsion polymerization of chloroprene

The free radical emulsion polymerization of chloroprene (CP) is carried out at 9 degrees C using different amounts of iodoform as the chain transfer agent. The molecular weight of polychloroprene (PCP) can be regulated effectively by CHI3. PCP suitable for use as an adhesive is obtained with 0.220.28 wt % CHI3 and reaches even higher monomer conversion than when mercaptan is used as the chain transfer agent. The emulsion polymerization of CP with high amounts of CHI3 (1.03.0 wt %) proceeds in a living polymerization manner. The molecular weight increases in proportion to the monomer conversion in the range of the whole polymerization process even up to very high monomer conversion. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013