Non-ideality in vinyl polymerization—VIII: Retarded polymerization of methyl methacrylate in presence of p-benzoquinone initiated by azobisisobutyronitrile

Detailed kinetic analysis of AIBN-initiated polymerization of methylmethacrylate in presence of p-benzoquinone has been reported. Primary radical transfer, whereby a primary radical transfers its radical reactivity to a transfer agent, has been considered along with macroradical transfer. It is found that the former process is quite appreciable in the system and must be allowed for to arrive at accurate values of transfer constants. Values of transfer constants for both primary radicals and macroradicals towards benzoquinone, and characteristic constants for degradative chain transfer and primary radical transfer have been evaluated applying the mathematical treatment developed previously. The mode of termination of macroradicals by fairly stable microradicals formed as a result of transfer has also been discussed.