Cationic polymerization of anethole by triphenylmethyl hexafluoroantimonate

Cationic polymerizations of anethole in methylene dichloride initiated by triphenylmethyl hexafluoroantimonate were studied by dilatometry and UV-visible spectroscopy at temperatures between 0 and 35°C. Initiator consumption continued throughout polymerization, reaching 85–95%. Monomer conversion ranged from 75 to 98%. Reaction half-lives were on the order of 15 to 60 min at 25°C. Polymer molecular weights were bimodal with some evidence of branching and cross-linking. The principal termination reaction appeared to involve formation of a chromophore absorbing at 501 nm. Rate constants on the order of 10^?3 dm³·mol^?1·s^?1 for initiation and 1 dm³·mol^?1·s^?1 for propagation at 25°C were estimated.