Telomerization of acrylic acid with thioglycolic acid - Effect of the solvent on the C-T value

The telomerization of acrylic acid (AA) with thioglycolic acid (TGA) initia ted with 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was first investigated in organ ic medium (THF, 65 degrees C). The kinetic study of this telomerization led to the determination of the TGA transfer constant (C-T = 3,2). Then, the s ame study was performed both in aqueous medium and in water / THF mixtures. From these works it is emphasised that the nature of the solvent plays an important role on the transfer constant. Thus, the value of C-T decreased f rom C-T = 3,2 in THF to 0,5 in water. By this way, the "ideal" case of telo merization (C-T = I) was reached for a mixture of solvents : water / THF (8 0%, 20%, v/v).