Aqueous Polymerization of Acrylonitrile and Methyl Methacrylate by Cerium(IV)-Glycine Redox System Catalysed by Bromide Ion: A Kinetic Study

Abstract

Polymerization of acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate monomers (M), initiated by a cerium(IV)-glycine redox system catalysed by bromide ion was investigated kinetically, over a temperature range of 35-50ºC in aqueous medium under inert atmosphere. The incorporation of bromide ion, with cerium(IV)- glycine redox system and rate of polymerization
(Rp) has been studied at various concentrations of monomers and initiator.
The polymerization exhibited a strong dependence on the concentration of
bromide ion. The rate of polymerization, R_p ∝ [M][Ce(IV)]^½
[AH]^½[Br]^½. The influence of organic solvents and temperature on the
rate of polymerization has also been investigated and energy of activation
was calculated. On the basis of experimental results, a suitable kinetic
scheme has been proposed and a rate expression has been derived.