RADIATION-INDUCED POLYMERIZATION OF DIKETENE

Polymer yields of 5.7% and 6.0% were obtained by irradiating 10 ml of diketene with Co/sup 60/ gamma rays at 7.8 x 10/sup 3/ r/hr for 17.6 hr in a vacuum and in air, respectively, at 78 deg C, and then washing with methanol and drying in a vacuum at 40 deg C for 48 hr. The results showed that oxygen did not affect polymerization. The polymer also showed a corresponding percentage composition and a distinct melting point at 114 deg C. Other analyses were made also on equivalent mixtures of diketene-- acrylonitrile or styrene. The experimental results suggested that the polymerization of diketene is caused by an ionic mechanism. (OID)