Critically Evaluated Rate Coefficients for Free‐Radical Polymerization, 5,

Summary: Propagation rate coefficients, k_p, for free‐radical polymerization of butyl acrylate (BA) previously reported by several groups are critically evaluated. All data were determined by the combination of pulsed‐laser polymerization (PLP) and subsequent polymer analysis by size exclusion (SEC) chromatography. The PLP‐SEC technique has been recommended as the method of choice for the determination of k_p by the IUPAC Working Party on Modeling of Polymerization Kinetics and Processes. Application of the technique to acrylates has proven to be very difficult and, along with other experimental evidence, has led to the conclusion that acrylate chain‐growth kinetics are complicated by intramolecular transfer (backbiting) events to form a mid‐chain radical structure of lower reactivity. These mechanisms have a significant effect on acrylate polymerization rate even at low temperatures, and have limited the PLP‐SEC determination of k_p of chain‐end radicals to low temperatures (<20 °C) using high pulse repetition rates. Nonetheless, the values for BA from six different laboratories, determined at ambient pressure in the temperature range of ?65 to 20 °C mostly for bulk monomer with few data in solution, fulfill consistency criteria and show excellent agreement, and are therefore combined together into a benchmark data set. The data are fitted well by an Arrhenius relation resulting in a pre‐exponential factor of 2.21 × 10⁷ L · mol^?1 · s^?1 and an activation energy of 17.9 kJ · mol^?1. It must be emphasized that these PLP‐determined k_p values are for monomer addition to a chain‐end radical and that, even at low temperatures, it is necessary to consider the presence of two radical structures that have very different reactivity. Studies for other alkyl acrylates do not provide sufficient results to construct benchmark data sets, but indicate that the family behavior previously documented for alkyl methacrylates also holds true within the alkyl acrylate family of monomers.

Arrhenius plot of propagation rate coefficients, k_p, for BA as measured by PLP‐SEC.     

Termination Kinetics of Dibutyl Itaconate Free‐Radical Polymerization Studied via the SP–PLP–ESR Technique

Summary: The termination kinetics of dibutyl itaconate (DBI) bulk polymerization was studied via SP–PLP–ESR single pulse–pulsed laser polymerization with time‐resolved detection of free‐radical concentration by electron‐spin resonance, at temperatures between 0 and 60 °C. As is characteristic of PLP experiments, termination rate coefficients, k_t(i,i), are measured for radicals of (almost) identical chain length (CL) i. CL‐averaged 〈k_t〉, for chain lengths up to 200 monomer units, and also kequation/tex2gif-stack-1.gif referring to termination of very small‐size radicals are directly deduced from measured DBI radical concentration vs time traces. At 45 °C, 〈k_t〉 is (3.4 ± 0.6) · 10⁵ L · mol^?1 · s^?1 and kequation/tex2gif-stack-2.gif is (7.2 ± 1.0) · 10⁵ L · mol^?1 · s^?1. Both rate coefficients are independent of monomer conversion up to the highest experimental conversion of 18%. The associated activation energies are E_A(〈k_t〉) = 23.0 ± 3.2 kJ · mol^?1 and E_A(kequation/tex2gif-stack-3.gif) = 27.6 ± 2.8 kJ · mol^?1, respectively. “Model‐dependent” and “model‐free” analyses of radical concentration vs time profiles indicate a pronounced CL dependence of k_t(i,i) for DBI radicals of moderate size, 5 < i < 50. The lowering of k_t(i,i) with CL corresponds to an exponent α close to 0.5 in a power‐law expression k_t(i,i) = kequation/tex2gif-stack-4.gif · i^?a. At higher chain lengths, the variation of k_t(i,i) with CL becomes weaker and may be represented by an α value of 0.16 or even below. These results are consistent with models according to which α varies to a larger extent at low CL and to a smaller extent at high CL with the crossover region between the two ranges being located somewhere around i = 100.

Conversion‐dependence of 〈k_t〉 and kequation/tex2gif-stack-5.gif from laser‐induced photopolymerization of DBI.     

Critically Evaluated Rate Coefficients for Free‐Radical Polymerization, 4

Propagation rate coefficients, k_p, which have been previously reported by several groups for free‐radical bulk polymerizations of cyclohexyl methacrylate (CHMA), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), benzyl methacrylate (BzMA), and isobornyl methacrylate (iBoMA) are critically evaluated. All data were determined by the combination of pulsed‐laser polymerization (PLP) and subsequent polymer analysis by size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC). This so‐called PLP‐SEC technique has been recommended as the method of choice for the determination of k_p by the IUPAC Working Party on Modeling of Polymerisation Kinetics and Processes. The present data fulfill consistency criteria and the agreement among the data from different laboratories is remarkable. The values for CHMA, GMA, and BzMA are therefore recommended as constituting benchmark data sets for each monomer. The data for iBoMA are also considered reliable, but since SEC calibration was established only by a single group, the data are not considered as a benchmark data set. All k_p data for each monomer are best fitted by the following Arrhenius relations: CHMA: , GMA: , BzMA: , iBoMA: . Rather remarkably, for the methacrylates under investigation, the k_p values are all very similar. Thus, all data can be fitted well by a single Arrhenius relation resulting in a pre‐exponential factor of 4.24 × 10⁶ L · mol^?1 · s^?1 and an activation energy of 21.9 kJ · mol^?1. All activation parameters refer to bulk polymerizations at ambient pressure and temperatures below 100 °C. Joint confidence intervals are also provided, enabling values and uncertainties for k_p to be estimated at any temperature.

95% joint confidence intervals for Arrhenius parameters A and E_A for cyclohexyl (CHMA), glycidyl (GMA), benzyl (BzMA), and isobornyl (iBoMA) methacrylate; for details see text.     

Determination of the Kinetic Constants of the Telomerization of 10‐Undecenol with Alkyl Hydrogenphosphonate

Summary: The telomerization of 10‐undecenol with alkyl hydrogenphosphonate was studied in order to synthesize telomers of different molecular weights. The study showed that telomers from 10‐undecenol could be obtained despite the fact that the double bond has a low reactivity. The kinetic constant Kp²/K_Te was determined to be 7 × 10^?4 l · mol^?1 · s^?1 at 135 °C and the transfer constant C_T was 0.057. These values are normal for a low activity telogen such as hydrogenphosphonate and for slightly reactive monomers like 10‐undecenol.

SEC chromatogram of telomers obtained in the reaction of 10‐undecenol addition.     

Determination of the Propagation Rate Coefficient of Vinyl Pivalate Based on EPR Quantification of the Propagating Radical Concentration

The propagation rate coefficient (k_p) of the vinyl pivalate (VPi) has been determined from an EPR quantification of the concentration of propagating radicals. The polymerizations followed first‐order kinetics with respect to the monomer, and the concentration of propagating radicals did not vary with time. The chain lengths were estimated to be sufficiently large to not affect k_p. The resulting Arrhenius parameters for k_p of VPi in heptane are A_p = 1.39 × 10⁷ dm³ · mol^?1 · s^?1 and E_p = 20.5 kJ · mol^?1. They are very similar to those of vinyl acetate as previously determined by the PLP method. The present results thus indicate that EPR gives consistent k_p values for vinyl esters.

     

Kinetic and electron paramagnetic resonance studies on radical polymerization. Radical copolymerization of p-tert-butoxy-styrene and dibutyl fumarate in benzene

The copolymerization of p-tert-butoxystyrene ( 1 ) (M₁) and dibutyl fumarate ( 2 ) (M₂) initiated with dimethyl 2,2′-azobisisobutyrate ( 3 ) was studied in benzene at 60°C kinetically and by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The monomer reactivity ratios were determined to be r₁ = 0,18 and r₂ = 0,01, indicating that homopropagation of M₂ is almost negligible in the copolymerization. The copolymerization system was revealed to involve EPR-observable propagating polymer radicals under practical copolymerization conditions. The apparent rate constants of propagation (k_p) and termination (k_t) determined by EPR show a rapid increase in the range from 0,9 to 1,0 of feed composition (f₁ = {[M₁]/([M₁] + [M₂])}) of M₁. From the relationship between k_p and f₁ based on Fukuda's penultimate model, the rate constants of propagation of copolymerization were evaluated; k₁₁₁ = 140 L · mol^?1 · s^?1, k₂₁₁ = 4,3 L · mol^?1 · s^?1, k₁₁₂ = 778 L · mol^?1 · s^?1, k₂₁₂ = 24 L · mol^?1 s^?1 and k₁₂₁ = 19 L · mol^?1 · s^?1, suggesting a pronounced penultimate effect.     

A Novel Approach for Investigation of Chain Transfer Events by Pulsed Laser Polymerization

Pulsed laser polymerization (PLP) with subsequent analysis of molecular mass distribution (MMD) is used to determine the rate coefficient of chain transfer to an agent A, k_trA, by varying pulse repetition rate such that the contributions of PLP‐induced and chain‐transfer‐induced peaks to the MMD change to a significant extent. It is shown by simulation that the relative heights of these peaks may be used to estimate k_trA. The method is applied to evaluation of the rate coefficient of chain transfer to dodecyl mercaptan with butyl methacrylate polymerizations at ?11, 0, 20 and 40 °C. The Arrhenius parameters for this coefficient are determined to be: A(k_trA) = (2.2 ± 0.6) × 10⁶ L · mol^?1 · s^?1 and E_a(k_trA) = (22.1 ± 0.7) kJ · mol^?1.

     

Determination of absolute rate constants for radical polymerization and copolymerization of ethyl α-cyanoacrylate in the presence of effective inhibitors against anionic polymerization

The absolute rate constants of propagation k_p and of termination k_t of ethyl α-cyanoacrylate (ECNA) were determined in bulk at 30°C by means of the rotating sector method under conditions to suppress anionic polymerization; k_p = 1 622 1 · mol^?1 · s^?1 and k_t = 4,11 · 10⁸ 1 · mol^?1 · s^?1 for the polymerization in the presence of acetic acid, and k_p = 1610 1 · mol^?1 · s^?1 and k_t = 4,04 · 10⁸ l · mol^?1 · s^?1 for the polymerization in the presence of 1,3-propanesultone. The magnitude of k/k_t determined was 6,39 · 10^?3 l · mol^?1 · s^?1. The absolute rate constants for cross-propagation in ECNA copolymerizations were also evaluated. Quantitative comparison of the rate constants with those of common monomers and polymer radicals shows that the strong electron-withdrawing power of the ethoxycarbonyl and cyano groups enable the poly(ECNA) radical to add to monomers as fast as the other polymer radicals. The relatively high reactivity of ECNA, regardless of the type of attacking polymer radical, is interpreted by a transition state greatly stabilized by both the ethoxycarbonyl and the cyano groups.     

EPR Investigations into the Kinetics of Trithiocarbonate‐Mediated RAFT‐Polymerization of Butyl Acrylate

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is used for measuring rate coefficients of addition, k_ad, and fragmentation, k_β, together with the associated equilibrium constants, K_eq, for butyl acrylate polymerizations mediated by S‐ethyl propan‐2‐ylonate‐S’‐propyl trithiocarbonate (EPPT) and by S‐S’‐bis(methyl‐2‐propionate) trithiocarbonate (BMPT). Experiments at ?40 °C yield k_ad = (3.4 ± 0.3) × 10⁶ L mol^?1 s^?1, k_β = (1.4 ± 0.4) × 10² s^?1, and K_eq = (2.6 ± 0.8) × 10⁴ L mol^?1 for EPPT and k_ad = (4.1 ± 0.9) × 10⁶ L mol^?1 s^?1, k_β = (4.5 ± 0.5) × 10¹ s^?1, and K_eq = (8 ± 4) × 10⁴ L mol^?1 for BMPT. The K_eq values are in satisfactory agreement with data from ab initio calculations.

     

Kinetic and ESR studies on radical polymerization. Radical polymerization behavior of N-octadecylmaleimide in benzene

The polymerization of N-octadecylmaleimide ( 1 ) initiated with azodiisobutyronitrile ( 2 ) was investigated kinetically in benzene. The overall activation energy of the polymerization was calculated to be 94,2 kJ·mol^?1. The polymerization rate (R_p) at 50°C is expressed by the equation, R_p = k[ 2 ]^0,6[ 1 ]^1,7. The homogeneous polymerization system involves ESR-detectable propagating polymer radicals. Using R_p and the polymer radical concentration determined by ESR, the rate constants of propagation (k_p) and termination (k_t) were evaluated at 50°C. k_p (33 L · mol^?1 · s^?1 on the average) is substantially independent of the monomer concentration. On the other hand, k_t (0,3 · 10⁴ – 1,0 · 10⁴ L · mol^?1 · s^?1) is fairly dependent on the monomer concentration, which is ascribable to a high dependence of k_t on the chain length of rigid poly( 1 ). This is the predominant factor for the high order with respect to the monomer concentration in the rate equation. In the copolymerization of 1 (M₁) and St (M₂) with 2 in benzene at 50°C, the following copolymerization parameters were obtained: r₁ = 0,11, r₂ = 0,09, Q₁ = 2,1, and e₁ = +1,4.     

SEC Analysis of Poly(Acrylic Acid) and Poly(Methacrylic Acid)

The accurate characterization of molar‐mass distributions of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) by size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) is addressed. Two methods are employed: direct aqueous‐phase SEC on P(M)AA and THF‐based SEC after esterification of P(M)AA to the associated methyl esters, P(M)MA. P(M)AA calibration standards, P(M)AA samples prepared by pulsed‐laser polymerization (PLP), and PAA samples prepared by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) are characterized in a joint initiative of seven laboratories, with satisfactory agreement achieved between the institutions. Both SEC methods provide reliable results for PMAA. In the case of PAA, close agreement between the two SEC methods is only observed for samples prepared by RAFT polymerization with weight‐average molar mass between 80 000 and 145 000 g mol^?1 and for standards with peak molar masses below 20 000 g mol^?1. For standards with higher molar masses and for PLP‐prepared PAA, the values from THF‐based SEC are as much as 40% below the molar masses determined by aqueous‐phase SEC. This discrepancy may be due to branching or degradation of branched PAA during methylation. While both SEC methods can be recommended for PMAA, aqueous‐phase SEC should be used for molar‐mass analysis of PAA unless the sample is not branched.

     

Etude de la télomérisation de l'acide acrylique par les mercaptans, 1 Télomérisation de l'acide acrylique par l'acide thioglycolique; Influence de la nature du solvant sur la valeur de la constante de transfert et de kp/√kte

The telomerization of acrylic acid (AA) with thioglycolic acid (TGA) initiated with 2,2′‐azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was first investigated in organic medium (THF, 65°C). The kinetic study of this telomerization led to the determination of the TGA transfer constant (C_T = 3.2) and to the ratio k_p/√k_te equal to 0.48 L^1/2·mol^–1/2·s^–1/2. Then, the same study was performed both in aqueous medium and in water/THF mixture in order to investigate the solvent effect on the transfer constant. From these works it is emphasised that the nature of the solvent plays an important role on the kinetics parameters. First, this research underlined an increase of the k_p/√k_te value by raising the water proportion in water/THF mixtures. Then, the kinetic study showed the highest value for the k_p/√k_te constant, equal to 2.48 L^1/2·mol^–1/2·s^–1/2 when the telomerization proceeded in water. Consequently, the value of C_T, which is directly influenced by the k_p/√k_te constant, presented a decrease from C_T = 3.2 in THF to a value equal to 0.5 in water. By this way, the « ideal » case of telomerization (C_T = 1) was reached for a mixture of solvents; 80% water/20% THF (v/v).     

Vinyl pivalate Propagation Kinetics in Radical Polymerization

Radical propagation kinetics of the bulk homopolymerizations of vinyl pivalate (VPi) and vinyl benzoate (VBz) have been studied using pulsed‐laser polymerization (PLP) combined with size exclusion chromatography (SEC). As part of the study, the Mark–Houwink para­meters of poly(VPi) and poly(VBz) in tetrahydrofuran are determined using a triple detector SEC. The observed significant increase (by ≈ 20%) of the bulk VPi propagation rate coefficient (k_p) as pulse repetition rate is increased from 200 to 500 Hz is similar to that reported for vinyl acetate (VAc). Data collected in the temperature range of 25–85 °C for VPi is well fit by the Arrhenius relation ln(k_p/L mol^?1 s^?1) = 15.73?2093(T/K). The activation energy is similar to that found for vinyl acetate (VAc), with k_p values higher by ≈ 50%. PLP studies in ethyl acetate and in heptane find no substantial solvent effect on VPi or VAc k_p values. Attempts to measure the propagation kinetics of VBz by PLP are not successful, suggesting that significant radical stabilization occurs for the system. Small‐scale batch poly­merization experiments demonstrate relative polymerization rates of these vinyl ester monomers that are consistent with the PLP results.

     

Terpolymérisation acrylonitrile-styrène-acrylate de méthyle, 4. Copolymérisation en emulsion styrène-acrylate de méthyle en réacteur fermé (batch) en présence de persulfate de potassium

To improve the knowledge of emulsion copolymerization of monomers both swelling their copolymers, but which are of quite different polarity (water solubility), a series of styrene (S)/methyl acrylate (MeA) copolymerizations was carried out in batch at 50°C with potassium persulfate as initiator. The overall rates of copolymerization increase with the amount of MeA in the monomer feed. Copolymer composition follows the usual copolymerization equation if bulk/solution reactivity ratios (r_ij) and monomer partition between aqueous and organic phase are taken into account (simulation). However, accurate kinetic data at low conversion (gas chromatography) put in evidence an enhanced polymerization of the more hydrophilic monomer (MeA), which can be attributed to polymerization in the water phase. Particle sizes increase with conversion and tend to a limiting value, the higher the MeA content is. Particle number (N_p), which is practically constant with conversion of S homopolymerization, tends to increase with MeA content as polymerization proceeds. This trend is enhanced if the emulsifier (sodium dodecanesulfonate, SDS) concentration is increased. Overall propagation rate constants were estimated as function of the experimental conditions and monomer concentration within the particles. From kinetic data (rate of polymerization) and N_p, it was found that the average number of radicals per particle, ñ, remains close to 0,5. It was then possible considering S(k_p = 125 1 · mol^?1 · s^?1) as a standard monomer, to estimate the polymerization rate constant for MeA (335 1 · mol^?1 · s^?1). Since adsorption of emulsifier was shown to be closely related to particle surface composition, the specific area A_s of SDS was measured on latices at various conversions and initial monomer feeds. As conversions increases, the particle surface appears to be richer and richer in MeA, which corresponds to a particle structuration. Strong and weak acid group titration is also in quite good agreement with the colloidal behaviour.     

Low Conversion 4‐Acetoxystyrene Free‐Radical Polymerization Kinetics Determined by Pulsed‐Laser and Thermal Polymerization

Summary: The free‐radical polymerization kinetics of 4‐acetoxystyrene (4‐AcOS) is studied over a wide temperature range. Pulsed‐laser polymerization, in combination with dual detector size‐exclusion chromatography, is used to measure k_p, the propagation rate coefficient, between 20 and 110 °C. Values are roughly 50% higher than those of styrene, while the activation energy of 28.7 kJ · mol⁻¹ is lower than that of styrene by 3–4 kJ · mol⁻¹. With known k_p, conversion and molecular weight data from 4‐AcOS thermal polymerizations conducted at 100, 140, and 170 °C are used to estimate termination and thermal initiation kinetics. The behavior is similar to that previously observed for styrene, with an activation energy of 90.4 kJ · mol⁻¹ estimated for the third‐order thermal initiation mechanism.

Joint confidence (95%) ellipsoids for the frequency factor A and the activation energy E_a from non‐linear fitting of k_p data for 4‐AcOS (black) and styrene (grey).     

Kinetic study of the polymerization of N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) in aqueous dispersion systems

The aqueous-phase polymerization of N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) initiated by potassium peroxodisulfate in the absence and in the presence of the anionic emulsifier sodium dodecylsulfate was kinetically investigated at 50°C by conventional gravimetric and dilatometric methods. The rate of polymerization is found to be proportional to the 0,75 and 0,24 oder with respect to potassium peroxodisulfate and N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) concentrations, respectively. On the other hand, it is independent of the concentration of sodium dodecylsulfate. This agrees with the polymerization of a monomer soluble in water. Therefore, the equations for a homogeneous polymerization were applied to evaluate the experimental results. The calculated ratio k_p/k_t^0,5 of the rate constants of propagation k_p and termination k_t for the N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) polymerization at zero conversion in the absence of emulsifier are scattered in the interval between 3,1 and 3,4 dm^1,5 · mol^?0,5 · s^?0,5 and in the presence of emulsifier in the interval between 2,4 and 3,5 dm^1,5 · mol^?0,5 · s^?0,5. They are close to those obtained for the homogeneous polymerization of acrylamide in the aqueous phase. The lower values of k_p/k_t^0,5 ≈ 0,3–0,6 dm^1,5 · mol^?0,5 · s^?0,5 determined for the polymerization of N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) for conversions between 30 and 60% follow from the hindered termination reaction within the polymer particles. The polymer dispersions formed are unstable. The growth of the polymer particles proceeds predominantly by coalescence. This suggests a kinetics which does not follow the Smith-Ewart theory but is characterized by a continuous particle nucleation and agglomeration. The interval 1 occurs at the beginning of the dispersion polymerization when polymer particles are being formed. Interval 2 follows, once the number of polymer particles has been fixed.     

Investigations Into Chain‐Length‐Dependent Termination in Bulk Radical Polymerization of 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H‐Tridecafluorooctyl Methacrylate

The SP‐PLP‐EPR technique is used to carry out a detailed investigation of the radical termination kinetics of 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H‐tridecafluorooctyl methacrylate (TDFOMA) in bulk at relatively low conversion. Composite‐model behavior for chain‐length‐dependent termination rate coefficients, k_t^i,i, is observed. It is found that for TDFOMA, i_c ≈ 60 independent of temperature, and α_s ≈ 0.65 and α_l ≈ 0.2 at 80 °C and above. However, at lower temperatures the situation is strikingly different, with the significantly higher average values of α_s = 0.89 ± 0.15 and α_l = 0.32 ± 0.10 being obtained at 50 °C and below. This makes TDFOMA the first monomer to be found that exhibits clearly different exponent values, α_s and α_l, at lower and higher temperature, and that has both a high α_s, like an acrylate, and a high i_c, like a methacrylate.     

Kinetic Study of Free‐Radical Solution Copoly‐ merization of N‐Acryloylmorpholine with an Activated Ester‐Type Monomer,N‐Acryloxysuccinimide

The kinetics of free radical solution (co)polymerization of N‐acryloylmorpholine (NAM) and N‐acryloxysuccinimide (NAS) have been investigated at 60°C in 1,4‐dioxane using 2,2′‐azoisobutyronitrile as the initiator. First, the k_p/k_t^1/2 value for the homopolymerization of NAM monomer was estimated to be 4.97 mol^–1/2·L^1/2· s^–1/2, which is indicative of a high ability of NAM to homopolymerize. Then, the reactivity ratios were determined to be r_NAS =  0.63 ± 0.03 and r_NAM =  0.75 ± 0.01. This binary comonomer system behaves like a perfectly random one, allowing the synthesis of macromolecules homogeneous in composition. Average copolymer compositions determined by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy were in good agreement with the theoretical ones. Finally, monomer sequence distribution was studied by ¹³C NMR analysis.     

Role of bulky α-substituent in free-radical polymerization and copolymerization of methyl α-(alkoxymethyl)acrylates

Methyl α-(alkoxymethyl)acrylates were prepared from methyl α-(bromomethyl)acrylate in 80–90% yield. The monomers homopolymerize fast to yield low-molecular-weight polymers. The monomers bearing a linear alkoxymethyl group except for the ethoxymethyl group are characterized by a relatively low ceiling temperature. The rate constants for propagation k_p and termination k_t of methyl α-(butoxymethyl)acrylate were evaluated to be k_p = 298 dm³ · mol^?1 · s^?1 and k_t = 8 · 10⁶ dm³ · mol^?1 · s^?1 at 60°C, respectively. The α-(alkoxymethyl)acrylates are more reactive than methyl methacrylate toward polystyrene radical, except for the α-(dodecyloxymethyl)acrylate which is slightly less reactive, indicating that an increase in the reactivity by the electron-withdrawing character of the alkoxy group prevails over the steric hindrance against addition of the polymer radical, except for the large dodecyloxymethyl group.     

Termination Kinetics of Methyl Acrylate and Dodecyl Acrylate Free‐Radical Homopolymerizations up to High Pressure

The single pulse (SP) – pulsed laser polymerization (PLP) technique has been applied to measure k_t /k_p, the ratio of termination to propagation rate coefficients, for free‐radical bulk homopolymerizations of methyl acrylate (MA) and dodecyl acrylate (DA) between 10 and 50°C at pressures from 10 to 2 500 bar. k_t /k_p is obtained from experimental monomer concentration vs. time traces that are determined via time‐resolved (μs) near infrared monitoring of monomer conversion induced by single excimer laser pulses of about 20 ns width. With k_p being known from PLP–SEC experiments, chain‐length averaged k_t is immediately obtained from k_t /k_p. For MA, k_t remains constant up to about 15% monomer conversion and clearly decreases upon further polymerization. For DA at pressures of 100 bar and above, a plateau value of constant k_t is observed up to about 60% monomer conversion whereas at lower pressure, e. g. at 10 bar, k_t slightly increases in the very initial conversion region, but also exhibits a plateau k_t value at moderate and high conversions. The occurrence of such plateau k_t values and their pressure and temperature dependence are consistent with the view that plateau regions of k_t are best understood in terms of diffusion control via segmental mobility.