Kinetics of Pd-II-catalyzed polymerization of methyl methacrylate by triethanolamine in the presence of CCl4

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with triethanolamine (TEA) and carbon tetrachloride has been investigated in the presence of PdCl2 and in a dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) medium by employing a dilatometric technique at 60 degrees C. The rate of polymerization has been obtained under the condit ions [CCl4]/[TEA] less than or equal to 1. The kinetic date indicate the po ssible participation of the charge-transfer complex formed between the {ami ne-Pd-II} complex and CCl4 in the polymerization of MMA. In the absence of either CCl4 or amine, no polymerization of MMA was observed under the prese nt experimental conditions. The rate of polymerization was inhibited by hyd roquinone, suggesting a free-radical initiation. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons , Inc.