Bulk polymerization of styrene catalyzed by bi- and trifunctional cyclic initiators

A study of the bulk free-radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of the cyclic bi- and trifunctional initiators cyclohexanone triperoxide, d iethylketone triperoxide, acetone triperoxide, cyclohexanone diperoxide, an d pinacolone diperoxide is reported. When these multifunctional initiators are used for styrene polymerization at high temperatures, it is possible to produce polymers with high molecular weights and narrow polydispersities a t a high reaction rate. Additionally, the former initiators are used in a m ixture that shows that the molecular parameters are influenced by the initi ator concentration in the initiation system, in addition to the system empl oyed. (C) 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.