Abstract: | The polymerization of acrylonitrile (M) initiated by the Ce(IV)–acetophenone (AP) redox pair has been studied in acetic–sulfuric acid mixtures in a nitrogen atmosphere. The rate of polymerization is proportional to M]3/2, AP]1/2 and Ce(IV)]1/2. The rate of disappearance of ceric ion,–RCe, is proportional to AP], M], and Ce(IV)]. The effect of certain salts, solvent, acid and temperature on both the rates have been investigated. A suitable kinetic scheme has been proposed, and the composite rate constants kp 2(k/k/t) and k0/ki are reported. |