Polymerization of styrene in aqueous system using a diethylzinc and 1,10-phenanthroline complex

Diethylzinc (DEZ) is highly combustible in air and easily hydrolyzed in water, therefore research using this DEZ compound in the polymerization field has hardly been conducted. The present study shows the stabilization of DEZ by forming complex with 1,10-phenanthroline and succeeded in emulsion polymerization of styrene using this diethylzinc-1,10-phenanthroline complex (Phen-DEZ). Ultra-high-molecular-weight polymers (Mw > 1 × 107) were obtained in high yield (80%) by using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as emulsifier in this emulsion system at 23 °C. The kinetics study of styrene emulsion polymerization initiated by Phen-DEZ was investigated. In the early stage of polymerization, an almost linear first-order kinetic plot was observed and the overall activation energy of this polymerization system was 31.0 kJ mol−1. [Display omitted] •Moisture-sensitive diethylzinc can be used in emulsion polymerization of styrene.•Ultra-high-molecular weight polystyrene can be obtained within short time at 23 °C.•Overall activation energy of this polymerization system was 31.0 kJ mol−1.