Studies in polymerization XII. Salt effects on the polymerization of acrylonitrile in non-aqueous solution

Abstract
A study of the polymerization of acrylonitrile in NN -dimethylformamide solution at 60°C in the presence of a number of lithium salts, including a determination of the absolute velocity coefficients, has been made. The coefficients for the propagation reaction and the transfer reactions to triethylamine and carbon tetrabromide are functions of the concentra­tion and nature of the added salt. The results are interpreted in terms of complex formation between polyacrylonitrile radicals and the ions of the salt which produces changes in the reactivity of the radicals. Complex formation with anions is found to decrease in the order Cl - > NO - 3 > ClO - 4 . The termination reaction is not significantly affected by the presence of salts. In certain circumstances an anionic polymerization of acrylonitrile, initiated by the salt, has been observed.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: