Controlled Radical Polymerization of Lauryl Methacrylate in the Synthetic Polyalphaolefin Base Oil

Abstract

Controlled radical polymerization of lauryl methacrylate in polyalphaolefin base oil has been performed for the first time in the presence of 2-cyano-2-propyl dodecyl trithiocarbonate. It has been shown that polymerization proceeds to high monomer conversions and leads to the formation of a polymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution. At the same time, the reaction mixtures retain their transparency after polymerization is completed. The synthesized polymers have a thickening ability, which naturally increases with an increase in their number-average molecular weight.