The Electro-Initiated Polymerization of Acrylamide in an Aqueous Solution of Trifluoroacetic Acid and Potassium Trifluoroacetate

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Abstract
The electro-initiated polymerization of acrylamide was investigated in an aqueous solution of trifluoroacetic acid and potassium trifluoroacetate. An oligomer with a molecular weight of 4000–6000 was thus obtained. The initiating ability of Kolbe’s intermediate radicals was recognized by an analysis of the fluorine contained in the polymerized products as the end group. Kolbe’s intermediate radicals, R·, react with monomers, M, to form RM·, which takes the paths of polymerization and other reactions. The rate of reaction to form RM· is so fast that no Kolbe’s dimer, C2F6, is obtained. Gas analysis clarified the ratio of CF3COO· to CF3·, which reacted with the monomer. The comparison of the molecular weights as measured by the two different methods suggests that the coupling reaction of radical ends terminates the propagation reaction. The rate of oligomer production was independent of the current density.