COPOLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE, MALEIC-ANHYDRIDE AND ACRYLONITRILE UP TOHIGH CONVERSION

Terpolymers of styrene, maleic anhydride and acrylonitrile were synthe sized by variation of the molar ratios of the three monomers at total monomer conversion up to 90 mol-%. Polymerizations were performed with total initial monomer concentrations of 0,25 g/mL in benzene at 60-de grees-C with AIBN as initiator. The composition of the terpolymers was determined by elemental analysis. Although this ternary system compri ses only one electron-donor monomer and two electron-acceptor monomers , maleic anhydride is the most reactive monomer and is incorporated in higher proportions than the other monomers.