Molecular weight and spinnability of polyacrylonitrile: control with water and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene during anionic polymerization in dimethyl sulfoxide

A series of linear high molecular weight acrylonitrile homopolymers have been synthesized using controlled anionic polymerization. The possibility of producing polyacrylonitrile with a wide range of molecular weights by controlling the concentrations of metal-free initiator and water has been demonstrated. The resulting homopolymers exhibit excellent spinnability.