Estimation of the ceiling temperature for the polymerization of acetone

The thermodynamics of the polymerization of acetone through the carbonyl group has been investigated in an attempt to find the limiting experimental conditions for producing high molecular weight polymer. Approximate values for the entropy and enthalpy of polymerization were estimated empirically from data published on polyolefins and polyacetals. A low negative heat of polymerization (ΔHp = −2.4 kcal mole. −t ) rather than a high negative entropy (Δ Sp = −45 cal mole −1 (deg K) −1 ) was considered to be the controlling influence in the polymerization. From these values, a ceiling temperature of –220°C was calculated for the reaction of gaseous acetone to form amorphous polyacetone.