PHOTOPOLYMERIZATION OF METHYL-METHACRYLATE AND OTHER ACRYLATES WITH THE USE OF [HYDROXY(TOSYLOXY)IODO]BENZENE AS PHOTOINITIATOR

[Hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene (HTIB) was found to be an effective pho toinitiator for the solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate. Th e polymerization is strongly inhibited in the presence of hydroquinone , it is not affected by air, and it is favored in the presence of nucl eophilic solvents. A kinetic study of solution polymerization in N,N-d imethylformamide indicated a free radical polymerization mechanism inv olving complexation of initiator molecules with the solvent prior to r adical generation, and bimolecular termination of chain radicals. Meth yl acrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate were also polymerized with HTIB as photoinitiator, but styrene could not be polymerized under si milar conditions.