RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF VINYL MONOMERS BY CAPTODATIVE SUBSTITUTED DIMERS

Polymerization of vinyl monomers such as styrene, methyl methacrylate, and vinyl acetate was carried out in the presence of the captodative substituted dimers 1-6 at 50 to 110-degrees-C. It was found that the d imer initiates the radical polymerization of these monomers, even of v inyl acetate. The initiation ability of the dimers depends on the natu re of both captive and dative groups as well as the substituent at a r emote position. The kinetic study suggests that in the polymerization initiated by the dimers primary-radical termination and chain transfer play a minor role.