Difference in temperature effect on the polymerizations between triallyl isocyanurate and its isomer triallyl cyanurate

The temperature effect on the polymerization of triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) was explored in detail as compared with its isomer triallyl cyanurate (TAC), since TAIC and TAC are commercially important as crosslinking agents with comonomers, and for aftercuring preformed polymers at elevated temperatures. Thus, the relative rate Rp(TAIC)/Rp(TAC) decreased with temperature, accompanied by the reversed rate feature, as the higher rate for TAIC polymerization has been reported previously at 60°C . No inversion was observed for the gel point and primary chain length, although the difference between TAIC and TAC polymerizations became smaller. The initial residual unsaturation decreased obviously with raised temperature for TAC polymerization, whereas only a slight decrease was observed for TAIC. These results are discussed mechanistically in terms of allyl polymerization and the steric effect caused by the bulky side-chain groups.