Reactivity of heteropolymolybdates and heteropolytungstates in the cationic polymerization of styrene

Abstract

The two heteropolyacids H3PW12O40 and H3PMo12O40, and their homologous salts (NH 4)3PW12O40, and (NH 4)3PMo12O40 were prepared and tested in the cationic polymerization of styrene. The results showed that the heteropolytungstates were more reactive than the heteropolymolybdates. It has been found that the yield and the viscosity average molecular weight (M v) of polystyrene are directly proportional to the acidity strength of the heteropolyanions (H3PW12O40 > H 3PMo12O40 > (NH4) 3PW12O40 > (NH4) 3PMo12O40). The highest yield (68.0%) and Mv (7,930) were obtained by using H3PW12O 40. In addition, H3PW12O40 polymerized the styrene under mild conditions and was recyclable, and could behave as a truly heterogeneous catalyst. © 2010 by the authors.