Method of polymerization of styrene sulfonic acids and salts of these acids and polymers obtained by this process

摘要

Polymers of styrene sulphonic acid and the alkali metal salts thereof are produced by contacting the dry monomers with gaseous oxygen until a partially oxygenated composition is produced which, in the absence of free oxygen, shows a polarogram having a wave amplitude of at least 0.01 microamp. at a half-wave potential of - 0.2 volt /g. of the oxygenated monomers in 50 ml. of supporting electrolyte, the treated monomers are dissolved in water to produce a 3.76-35% solution, free oxygen is removed from this solution which is maintained at a pH of less than 10 in an oxygenfree environment until the desired conversion of monomers to polymers has occurred and then the polymer is separated from the aqueous medium. The oxygen contacting step may be carried out at 20-70 DEG C. The polymer may be separated from the aqueous medium, by precipitation, by addition of iso-propanol.