Kinetics of ruthenium (III) catalysed polymerization of methyl methacrylate by triethanolamine in presence of CCl4

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with triethanolamine (TEA) and carbon tetrachloride has been investigated in the presence of RuCl3 and in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) medium by employing a dilatometric technique at 60 degreesC. The rate of polymerization (R-p) of MMA has been found to be p roportional to [MMA], [TEA]1/2, [CCl4](1/2) and {k' + k " [RuCl3](1/2)} whe re k' and k " are rate constants for uncatalysed and catalysed polymerizati on respectively. The rate of polymerization has been inhibited by hydroquin one, suggesting a free radical mechanism. The kinetic data indicate the pos sible participation of the charge transfer complex formed between {TEA-Ru-I II} and CCl4 during the polymerization of MMA. In the absence of either TEA or CCl4, no polymerization of MMA has been observed under the present expe rimental conditions.