Sodium Citrate Kolbe Electrolysis Polymerization in Aqueous Solution with Controlled Molecular Weight Distribution

Controlled-molecular-weight-distribution polymerization of sodium citrate in aqueous solution is successfully performed by Kolbe electrolysis reaction. It can be carried out in aqueous solution and no initiator and catalyst need to be added specially in this new polymerization procedure. The molecular weight of polymerization product linear rises with increasing conversion rate, and its distribution is maintained relatively narrowly (Mw/Mn < 1.55). The molecular weight and its distribution are obviously affected by a couple of elements, such as reaction temperature, as well as the kinds and amount of addition neutral salt ions in electrolysis solution. Kolbe electrolysis can realize the controlled-molecular-weight-distribution polymerization of sodium citrate monomer effectively, which expands the scope of non-olefin monomers used for controlled-molecular-weight-distribution polymerization.