Electroinduced polymerization of acrylonitrile in the presence of Ce(IV)

Polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) initiated by Ce(TV) was performed in a n electrolytic cell. The precipitated polymer was formed in the cathodic co mpartment, and the reduced initiator was reoxidized in the anode, thus allo wing for the continuation of the process. The effects of concentrations of the monomer, Ce(IV), and sulfuric acid (the electrolyte) were investigated as well as the potential and the temperature. The yield of the process, pro ceeding under mild conditions, was high. The study was augmented by voltame tric and spectrophotometric investigation. The resulting polymer was charac terized by FTIR and optical spectrometry, and its m.w. was determined by vi scometric method. A possible mechanism of polymerization is suggested. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.