| abstract |
The invention relates to a process for the oligomerization of vinylaromatics with alkali metal initiators. The aim of the invention is vinyl aromatics, z. B. alpha-methylstyrene and its nucleus-substituted derivatives in polar solvents to live oligomers to implement. According to the invention, the reaction product of alkali metal or alkali metal mixtures with mercury in polar solvents is used as initiator. The oligomerization of the alpha-methylstyrene and its nucleus-substituted derivatives into oligomers having a degree of polymerization of 2 to 8, preferably 4 to 5, takes place without lump formation of the initiator at 263 to 333 K, preferably at 293 to 303 K, under anaerobic conditions. The oligomers produced are homopolymers of vinyl aromatics with and without functional end groups. |