Polymerisation in a magnetic field. 13 - Influence of the reaction conditions in the styrene polymerisation

Magnetokinetic changes intervened in the emulsion polymerisation of styrene in a continuous external magnetic field of 0.22 T as a direct result of us ing different concentrations of the initiator and of anionic surfactants we re evidenced. The reduced rate of polymerisation was explained to be due to the orientation of the reacting molecules. The magnetic field effect was a lso correlated with the fact that a considerable increase in the diamagneti c susceptibility and high anisotropy are typical for delocalized cyclic com pounds. The magnetokinetic changes are also justified by the reaction condi tions, respectively micellar aggregates that ideally fulfil the basic requi rement of the radical pair mechanism, namely easy separation of the geminat e radical pairs followed by an extended period of diffusive reencounters.