Patent GB-993470-A (GB)
Title: Process for the preparation of latices by emulsion polymerization of vinyl esters
IPC: C08F2/22
Filed: 1963-01-23
Abstract: In a process for the preparation of latices a vinyl ester of a saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid whose carboxyl group is attached to a tertiary and/or quaternary carbon atom, and which saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid contains five or at least seven carbon atoms, is polymerized or copolymerized in aqueous emulsion in the presence of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or an unsaturated partial carboxylic ester containing two carbon atoms linked by a double bond, at least one of which is directly attached to a carboxy group, or a salt or anhydride thereof, and also in the presence of a nonionic surface-active agent and a surface-active agent containing one anionic group per molecule. The vinyl esters may be derived from acids prepared by reacting olefins with formic acid or with carbon monoxide and water. Specified comonomers are vinyl acetate and vinyl pivalate. Polymerization may be effected in the presence of acrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, monoalkyl maleates, fumarates and itaconates and monovinyl succinate, and sodium, potassium and ammonium salts thereof.  Specified nonionic surface-active agents are condensates of alkylene oxides with hydroxy compounds, e.g. phenols and long-chain alcohols, and carboxylic acids, and with polypropylene glycol ethers.  Specified anionic surface-active agents are salts of hydrocarbon sulphonates and sulphates, sulphosuccinic acid esters, and fatty acid soaps. Polymerization may be effected in the presence of ultra-violet light, hydrogen peroxide, potassium persulphate, benzoyl peroxide, t.-butyl peroxide and azodiisobutyronitrile; batchwise, or continuously by passing through tubular reactors.  The latices may be compounded with pigments, fillers and antifoaming agents to form emulsion paints. Examples describe the copolymerization of (I) vinyl esters of C9- 11 branched acids and vinyl acetate in the presence of acrylic acid, potassium persulphate, borax, alkylaryl sulphonate and octylphenol/ ethylene oxide condensate; (II-IV and VII-IX) vinyl esters of C9- 11 branched acids and vinyl acetate in the presence of acrylic acid, potassium persulphate, borax, alkylaryl sulphonate and nonylphenol/ethylene oxide condensate; (V) vinyl esters of C9- 11 branched acids and vinyl pivalate in the presence of acrylic acid, potassium persulphate, borax, alkylaryl sulphonate and nonylphenol/ethylene oxide condensate; and (VI) vinyl esters of C9- 11 branched acids and vinyl acetate in the presence of maleic anhydride, potassium persulphate, borax, alkylaryl sulphonate and nonylphenol/ethylene oxide condensate; and the polymerization of vinyl esters of (X) C9- 11 and (XI) C7- 9 branched acids in the presence of acrylic acid, potassium persulphate, borax, alkylaryl sulphonate and nonylphenol/ethylene oxide condensate. The latices are compounded with 2-ethylhexanol and an aqueous pigment paste comprising a sodium polycarboxylate, an iso-octylphenol/ ethylene oxide condensate, methyl cellulose, titanium dioxide and china clay to give emulsion paints.