KINETIC ANOMALIES IN THE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF N-VINYLPYRROLIDONE

The peculiarities of the radical polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone in aqueous solutions and in hulk were studied, and the observed kineti c anomalies were explained. Using quantum-chemical calculations, the r eactivities of free and hydrated polymerizing species (monomers and ra dicals) were estimated quantitatively. The effects of the nature and c omposition of the starting mixtures on the initial rate of polymerizat ion and the variation in the viscosities of the reaction solutions due to hydration of the polymerizing species were investigated. The reaso ns for the extremal dependence of the initial rate of polymerization o n the composition of the starting mixtures are discussed, and the cont ribution of elementary events to the overall kinetics of the process i s estimated.