Copolymerization with depropagation: A study of alpha-methyl styrene/methyl methacrylate in solution at elevated temperatures

In free-radical polymerization, solvents are routinely used to reduce the s olution viscosity and molecular weight. In the case of the alpha -methyl st yrene/methyl methacrylate copolymer system, reducing the monomer concentrat ion also has significant effects on the copolymer composition and maximum c onversion obtained. Reactivity-ratio studies as well as full-conversion-ran ge data were provided, and the results were compared to similar data in the bulk phase from our earlier work. A 30 wt % toluene solution was used for all experimental conditions. Copolymer composition modeling results were al so presented. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.