Electroinitiated polymerization of acrylonitrile in aqueous sulphuric acid

The electroinitiated polymerization of acrylonitrile in aqueous sulphuric acid has been investigated. The polymerization, which occurs at the anode through the formation of radicals from HSO₄^?, is heterogeneous in nature and shows the occurrence of occlusion phenomena. A remarkable after-effect, connected with the occlusion of free radicals, was observed. Chain transfer to monomer, solvent and polymer have sufficiently low values to allow the formation of a polymer with high molecular weight.