The polymerization of styrene by sulphuric acid - II. The kinetics of polymerization in 1:2-dichloroethane

Abstract

The polymerization has been studied in homogeneous solution over the temperature range 0 to 35$^\circ$C. At the upper temperatures the reactions are very fast; over the whole temperature range they are incomplete, giving limited yields of polymer which depend on the initial acid concentration, but not on that of the monomer. The results are described by the non-stationary chain reaction theory derived in part I. Individual values of all the rate constants are obtained at 25$^\circ$C, and ratios of rate constants at the other temperatures. The molecular weights are relatively low (< 20 000) and determined by transfer rather than true termination processes.