Radical polymerization of styrene initiated by styrene–arsenic sulfide complex

Styrene forms a complex with arsenic sulfide which in DMF at 85°C initiates radical polymerization yielding high molecular weight polymer. The order of reaction, with respect to initiator and monomer, is 0.5 ± 0.02 and unity, respectively. The energy of activation for the system computed as 96 kJ mol^?1 and the polymerization is retarded by hydroquinone. A possible mechanism for reaction has also been proposed.