THE POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLONITRILE BY TETRAAZIRIDOTITANIUM(IV)

The polymerization of acrylonitrile by tetraaziridotitanium(IV) is ver y much more rapid than the same reaction initiated by tetrakis(dimethy lamino)titanium(IV). The former reaction has dead-end kinetics but bot h can be fitted with the same kinetic scheme. Polymerization is accomp anied by initiator wastage via unidentified reactions. Insertion of sa turated nitriles into the Ti-N bonds of tetrakis(dimethylamino)titaniu m can be monitored by NMR and gives products with high activity for th e polymerization of acrylonitrile. Despite their high reactivity towar ds acrylonitrile none of the initiators will polymerize less reactive monomers.