Vinyl polymerization 270. Polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by azibenzil

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by azibenzil (AB) was studied kinetically. The initial rate of polymerization (R_p) was found to be expressed by the equation R_p = kAB]^0.47MMA]^0.97. The polymerization proceeded through a radical mechanism. The overall activation energy for the polymerization was estimated as 16.1 kcal/mole. Furthermore, the rate of decomposition of AB was measured in benzene and the following rate equation was obtained: k_dsec^?1] = 5.75·10¹⁰ exp(-21.9 kcal/RT). From these results the initiation mechanism was discussed.