P-Nitrobenzyl Triphenyl Phosphonium Ylide as a chain Transfer Agent for Copolymerisation of Methyl Methacrylate with Styrene

Abstract

α-α´ Azobisisobutyronitrile initiated radical copolymerisation of methyl methacrylate and styrene in presence of p-nitrobenzyl triphenyl phosphonium ylide (p-NBTPY) using dimethyl sulphoxide as an inert solvent has been investigated dilatometrically at 60±0.1ºC under nitrogen atmosphere. The ylide, p-NBTPY acts as a chain transfer agent and the (C_tr) value is 0.9. Various kinetic parameters have also been evaluated and a suitable mechanism has been proposed for the present system.