The mechanism of the anionic coordination polymerization of isoprene

The polymerization kinetics of isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) in benzene with butyllithium as the initiator was investigated by the gas chromatographic method. After completion of the initial period of the reaction, its order with respect to the initial concentration of initiator is negative at the concentrations of the latter between 0.01 and 0.25 mol/l, and positive at higher concentrations. A reaction scheme has been suggested with respect to the "cross" association of butyllithium and of the "living" oligoisoprene.