Polymerization of Acrylonitrile: Kinetics of the Reaction Initiated by the Mn3+-Cyclohexanol Redox System

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Abstract
The vinyl polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by the redox system Mn3+-cyclohexanol was investigated in aqueous sulfuric acid in the temperature range of 30–45° C. The rate of polymerization Rp and the rate of Mn3+ ion disappearance were measured. The effects of certain water-miscible organic solvents and certain anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants on the rate of polymerization were investigated. Based on the results obtained, a suitable reaction mechanism involving the formation of a complex between Mn3+ and the alcohol, whose decomposition yields the initiating free radical with the polymer chain being terminated by the mutual combination of growing chains is suggested.