ZnCl2 complexes of para-substituted phenyl methacrylates in radical copolymerization with styrene

Copolymerization of phenyl methacrylate, p-tolyl methacrylate, and p-chlorophenyl methacrylate with styrene was carried out in the absence and in the presence of ZnCl₂. It was found by ¹³C NMR, ¹H NMR, and IR spectroscopy that complexes of zinc chloride with the corresponding methacrylates are formed. Reactivity ratios as well as Q and e values for the monomers and complexes were calculated. A correlation between e values and ¹³C chemical shift of the vinyl group of monomers and complexes with ZnCl₂ was found.