Low temperature initiation by methylene bis(diethyl malonate)-Ce(IV) redoxsystem in organic solvents

Methylene bis(diethyl malonate)-cerium ammonium nitrate redox couple serves as initiator in triethyl phosphate for polymerization of methyl methacryla te at room temperature. High polymerization yield (> 90%) can be attained a t moderate concentration ratios (monomer/initiator congruent to 70:1) in 4 h reaction periods. Increasing molar ratio of methylene bis(diethyl malonat e) to cerium salt causes to low molecular weights which implies possibility of its chain transfer effect through active methylene groups at the same t ime. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.