RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLONITRILE INITIATED BY ALPHA-PICOLINIUMP-CHLOROPHENACYLID

The radical polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) with alpha-picolinium p-chlorophenacylid (alpha-PCPY) as initiator using carbon tetrachlori de as inert solvent was investigated at 50 degrees C. The polymerizati on follows ideal kinetics: the exponent values calculated for the init iator and monomer were found to be 0.5 and unity, respectively. A free radical mechanism with bimolecular termination was confirmed by the i nhibiting effect of hydroquinone, a radical quencher. The rate of poly merization was a direct function of initiator (alpha-PCPY) concentrati on, monomer (AN) concentration and temperature. The overall activation energy calculated was 56 kJ/mol. The polymerization was favoured by p olar solvents and retarded by non-polar solvents.