| abstract |
A free radical polymerization process comprises bringing together (a) a monomeric material such as an acrylic monomer in a relatively low polarity medium (b) a free radical source or initiator such as a metallic salt initiator or activator normally soluble only in high polarity media such as water and (c) a calixarene derivative of the formula I: <IMAGE> I wherein m+n=4, 6 or 8 n=an integer greater than or equal to 1/2 (m+n) wherein m+n=4,6 or 8 n=an integer greater than or equal to 1/2 (m+n) R=hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, substituted hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyloxy, aryl, hydrocarbylaryl, aryloxy, hydrocarbylaryloxy, substituted aryl, substituted hydrocarbylaryl, substituted aryloxy, or substituted hydrocarbylaryloxy; R'=H, hydrocarbyl, aryl, hydrocarbylaryl, substituted hydrocarbyl, substituted aryl, or substituted hydrocarbylaryl; R''=H, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl. A free radical polymerization catalyst comprises a combination of a water-soluble, organic-insoluble initiator and a calixarene derivative of formula I. A gap-filling adhesive composition is also described which comprises an acrylic monomeric material adapted for activation by a metal salt activator such as a copper salt, wherein the composition includes a calixarene derivative of formula I. In the gap-filling adhesive composition the calixarene derivative may be used jointly with a halogenated alkyl acrylate or methacrylate which is halogenated on the alkyl portion. |