ROLE OF FREE RADICAL QUENCHERS IN THE CHARGE TRANSFER POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE AND ALKYLMETHACRYLATES

Abstract

Charge transfer polymerization of styrene and alkylmethacrylates, involving an electron donor and acceptor molecules, is accelerated by employing free radical quenchers such as hydroquinone, monomethylether of hydroquinone and galvinoxyl result-ing in higher polymer yields. The best results are achieved when hydroquinone is employed as a free radical quencher. The addition of free radical quenchers in the system also decreased the molecular weights of polymers. The higher polymer yields and lower molecular weights are due to the predominant participation of ionic mechanism operative in the system.

Keywords:

• Charge Transfer
• Free Radical Quenchers
• Hydroquinone
• Monomethyl Ether of Hydroquinone
• Galvinoxyl
• Butyl Amine
• Carbon Tetrachloride
• Homopolymerization
• Copolymerization
• Gel Permeation Chromatography
• Cation Radicals
• Free Radicals
• Reaction Temperature
• Polymer Yield
• Molecular Weight Distribution
• Poly Dispersity Indices

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors wish to thank Dr. T. Nashimaswamy of this institute for his valuable suggestions during the course of this work, and also wish to thank Dr. T. Ramasami, Director, Central Leather Research Institute, Madras for publishing the same.