Butadiene and Its Polymers. V. Formation of Spongy Butadiene Polymer

Abstract 1. It is shown that the formation of spongy butadiene polymer is accelerated by the addition to the butadiene of most metals and certain crystalline substances. This spongy polymer is not formed on lead or copper. 2. It is shown that the formation of spongy polymer on iron takes place at practically any polymerization temperature. 3. It is proved that in the absence, both in the butadiene and in the apparatus, of oxygen and peroxides, no spongy polymer is formed, and also that peroxides accelerate the formation of spongy polymer. 4. It is proved that the activation of the formation of spongy polymer by iron is of an adsorptive nature, and the formation of spongy polymer on iron can prevent the formation of a unimolecular layer of a polar substance on the surface of the iron. 5. An outline scheme of the process of thermopolymerization of butadiene is given, with experimental data on the formation of its cyclic dimer, of a rubber-like polymer, and of the spongy polymer.