[vvsia]

normally it takes how long to let the copolymerization of butyl acrylate(7ml) and styrene(1ml) to occur at 60^oC to get less than 10% conversion of polymer?Izzit nite  at least 2.5hours?I do the experiment for 1hour and try to dissolve the solution in toluene to isolate out the polymer.But, i get nothing.Is it need more time to get the polymer?Can somebody help me to answer my question.Hopefully can get the answer as soon as possible.Thanks a million
 

[ATMyller]

It depends on used polymerization method. Vinyl monomers point out to some sort of radical or anionic/kationic polymerization, but the low temperature excludes FRP. So what are using CCTP, ATRP or something else?

Considering it's ATRP you could get easily over 10% conversion in 2 hours with Cu₂Br₂(PMDETA)₂ catalyst and with eg. (1-bromoethyl)benzene initiator as long as the reaction apparatus is oxygen free and remains airtight.

[Random Coils]

Actually, ATRP is a FRP method.  And 60 C is fine for either conventional radical polymerization or ATRP.  Also, the catalyst is just CuBr/PMDETA, not Cu2Br2/PMDETA2.

Sorry for being so picky, but it might make things more clear for our friend with the original question.

To address the original problem, I'm not sure I understand your attempted isolation.  PBA, PS, copolymers of the two, and the two monomers are all completely soluble in toluene.  So, there will be no precipitation when the polymerization solution is mixed with toluene.   Your better bet is to try to precipitate into cold methanol.  PS precipitates nicely in MeOH, but due to its low Tg, PBA generally does not.  Perhaps your copolymer composition will contain enough PS to facilitate a nice precipitation.

[ATMyller]

Your better bet is to try to precipitate into cold methanol.  PS precipitates nicely in MeOH, but due to its low Tg, PBA generally does not.  Perhaps your copolymer composition will contain enough PS to facilitate a nice precipitation.

I've done few of PnBA/PS copolymerizations myself and found that ice cold 50/50(volume) water/MeOH solution gave the best result. Altought samples with very low molar mass didn't precipitate, but formed and oily emulsion instead.

[P]

I agree - what initiator are you using?

Actually, ATRP is a FRP method. 

Yes it is a controlled FRP.  The polymerisation is classed as 'living' as you can pick it up again later.  You will get better polydispersities with ATRP or TEMPO mediated living free radical polymerisations than with the conventional FRP due to the 'controlled' nature of the chain growth.