Kinetics of the polymerization of styrene catalyzed by benzoyl peroxide and dimethylaniline. VIII. On vinyl polymerization

Abstract

Abstract A study of the polymerization of styrene catalyzed by benzoyl peroxide in the presence of dimethylaniline at 50° has been made. It was proved that the initial rate of polymerization (R 0 ) could be expressed by the equation, R 0 = k (Bz 2 O 2 )1/2 (DMA)1/2, where (Bz 2 O 2 ) and (DMA) are the initial concentrations of benzoyl peroxide and dimethylaniline respectively. In the polymerization by the system benzoyl peroxide‐dimethylaniline, the initiator efficiency of benzoyl peroxide was measured kinetically. The value obtained was a small value (i. e., 0,25). Moreover, the decomposition of benzoyl peroxide with dimethylaniline in styrene was investigated according to Horner's procedure. From these results, it seems possible that one‐half of benzoate radical which is produced through the reaction of benzoyl peroxide with dimethylaniline is contributed the polymerization of styrene.