CERIUM(IV) SORBOSE-INITIATED POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLAMIDE AND METHACRYLAMIDE

The kinetics of the aqueous polymerizations of acrylamide and methacry lamide employing the cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate-sorbose redox pair un der an inert atmosphere were studied. It was found that the rate of mo nomer disappearance is directly proportional to the concentration of s orbose and inversely proportional to the cerium(IV) ion concentration but depends on the square of the monomer concentration. The rate of ce rium(IV) ion disappearance is directly proportional to the initial con centration of cerium(IV) ion and sorbose but independent of the monome r concentration. The effects of various additives, namely alcohols, in organic salts and so on, on the rates of polymerization of acrylamide and methacrylamide were also studied. The viscometric average molecula r weight M(v)BAR decreases on increasing the concentration of monomer and sorbose. A plausible mechanism based on experimental results is pr oposed.