PURPOSE: To obtain a polymer having a high molecular weight and mechanical strength, and useful for tableware, etc. without adversely affecting the living body, by photopolymerizing a vinyl compound in the presence of vitamin B12 or a derivative thereof as a nontoxic photopolymerization catalyst.
CONSTITUTION: In photopolymerizing a vinyl compound, e.g. N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, vitamin B12 or a derivative thereof is used as a photopolymerization catalyst, which is along with the vinyl compound is introduced into a sealed tube, e.g. "Pyrex " glass. The polymerization mixture is then irradiated with ultraviolet light from an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, etc. to carry out the photopolymerization. After the completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture is added to a nonsolvent for the polymer to precipitate the polymer, which is separated and dried to afford the aimed polymer. Preferably, the photopolymerization is carried out by using 0.0025W0.006pts.wt., based on 1pt.wt. vinyl compound, photopolymerization catalyst.
YAMAMOTO YASUSHI
ETOU SHIYOUHEI
