Copolymerization with Depropagation. II. Rate of Copolymerization of Styrene ? - Methylstyrene

Abstract

Styrene and α-methylstyrene have been copolymerized at 60°C. At this temperature depropagation of the latter monomer must be considered. The rate of copolymerization and the chain length of the polymer formed are quantitatively interpreted by an extension of the theory previously used to describe the copolymer composition. It is postulated that rapid termination of copolymerization occurs because of the presence in the systems of low molecular weight free radicals of poly(α-methylstyrene) of chain length 3 cr less.