Reactions catalyzed by minerals. Part III. The mechanism of spontaneous interlamellar polymerizations in aluminosilicates

Abstract

The spontaneous polymerization of hydroxymethacrylate monomers by the layer aluminosilicate montmorillonite is reported. Saturation of montmorillonite by acrylic monomers gives interlayer complexes of three types, only one of which is susceptible to spontaneous polymerization. Electron‐donating sites situated within the silicate lamellae initiate the spontaneous polymerization which it is suggested proceeds by a mechanism involving radical‐anions. The results of this study together with those reported previously are used to explain the variety of effects noted when aluminosilicates are added to or heated with vinyl or acrylic monomers. Copyright © 1968 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.