Cyclopolymerization of N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide initiated by S2O82−–Fe2+ redox system

Polymerization of the symmetrical nonconjugated diolefin, N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide, was carried out using peroxodisulphate ion -Fe²⁺ as redox initiator. The rate of polymerization is found to depend on [M]^3/2 and [S₂O₈^2?]^1/2 and independent of [Fe²⁺] over a range. A polymerization mechanism involving cyclopolymerization in the propagation step is suggested. Evidence in favor of the cyclopolymerization mechanism is discussed. Evaluation of the rate parameters indicates that the deactivation of the primary radical SO₄^? by Fe²⁺ ion is a factor to be reckoned with.