Ionic polymerization of mono-olefinic hydrocarbons at low temperatures. A review of proposed mechanisms

The mechanism presented constitute proposals made in attempts to portray the role that electrophilic halides play in catalyzing the polymerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons. All of these halides require the presence of a Friedel‐Crafts catalyst in the reaction mixture and differ primarily in the interpretation of what constitutes the active factor in the initiation, propagation, and cessation steps. Mechanisms involving a thermal activation and dehydrohalogenation are discussed briefly and rejected as rather improbable. On the other hand, mechanisms involving a cationoid complex intermediate and a carbonium ion are extensively reviewed, especially in light of the recent findings of British investigators regarding the function of the so‐called third component or cocatalyst. Attention is called to the rather marked specificity of reactions involving water or other polar cocatalysts, and, in addition, it is pointed out that, although cocatalysts appear to be necessary prerequisities for activation in a number of cases, the phenomenon is not a general one, since systems exist in which proton‐supplying cocatalysts have not been proved necessary to initiate growth. To date, no single mechanism seems to satisfy all of the qualitative observations and known data. It is intended that the present discussion summarize available facts in terms of possible mechanisms, and, in addition, evaluate their plausibility in the light of present knowledge.