| Abstract: | The kinetics of polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by iron(III) salts and hydrogen peroxide in water solution in an atmosphere of nitrogen containing varying amounts of oxygen was investigated at 26.0 ± 0.1°C. Increased amounts of oxygen decrease the rate of polymerization as well as the average molecular weight of the formed polymer. The rate of polymerization falls to zero with the increasing content of oxygen. There is, however, no difference in the rate of polymerization or the molecular weight of the formed polymer if the oxygen content of the nitrogen was decreased by careful deoxygenation from 13.5 ppm to less than 1 ppm. The length of the induction period is in agreement with the inhibition scheme as proposed by SCHULZ and HENRICI. |
