Poly(ethylene oxide) gel as a novel polymerization medium anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide)‐(PEO‐N) is used as a novel medium for the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by t‐BuOK and ethyl‐α‐lithioisobutyrate (α‐LiEtIB) in toluene. Comparative studies with linear poly(ethylene oxide)‐(PEO‐L) are performed as well. It is found that PEO‐N effectively binds both initiators, and the polymerization process takes place mainly in the gel phase. PEO‐N accelerates the polymerization process initiated by t‐BuOK enabling the formation of high‐molecular‐weight polymers with high yields. Part of poly(methyl methacrylate)‐(PMMA) remains in the gel particles yielding semi‐interpenetrating networks with amphiphilic properties. PEO additives do not influence profoundly the course of the polymerization, initiated by α‐LiEtIB. The influence of PEO‐N on the proceeding of the polymerization is discussed in some detail.