Method of enhancing polymerization of DA···

Method of enhancing polymerization of dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride compounds to produce high molecular weight polymers.

This is an improved method for preparing a polymer of a dialkyldiallyl ammonium compound comprising effecting polymerization in the presence of a free radical initiator and sufficient fluoride ion to increase the molecular weight of the polymer and accelerate the rate of polymerization.

Homopolymers and copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a single or double bond to nitrogen or by a heterocyclic ring containing nitrogen by a single or double bond to nitrogen.

It is particularly preferred to utilize the method of the invention for the polymerization of diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DADMAC).

Preferably, the temperature of the reaction is maintained at between about 30° and about 80° C., most preferably between about 30° and about 70° C. The reaction medium is preferably aqueous to ensure maximum solubility of the reactants.

The reaction medium should contain from about 10% to about 70%, preferably from about 20% to about 60%, by weight, of the monomer and from about 0.04 mole 1-1 to about 2.30 mole 1-1 of fluoride ion. The latter may be supplied in the form of a salt with any cation which does not adversely affect the progress of the polymerization reaction and is at least partially soluble in the reaction medium. Suitable such salts include alkali metal, quaternary ammonium and certain alkaline earth metal fluorides, amine hydrofluorides, etc.

The polymerization can be initiated by any free radical initiator known to be effective for the polymerization of dialkydiallyl ammonium compounds.Suitable such initiators include peroxysulfates, peroxyphosphates, azides, etc.

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