| Abstract: | Methyl methacrylate and p-fluorostyrene were polymerized with manganese (III) acetylacetonate–aluminum triethyl catalyst at 60°C in a benzene medium. Maximum activity was found at Al/Mn ratio of 4. Maximum percent conversion of polymer was obtained when the aging time of the catalyst was 10 min. The rate of polymerization was first order with respect to monomer. The rate of polymerization with respect to catalyst and cocatalyst were found to be 0.5 and 1.5, respectively. The overall energy of activation for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and p-fluorostyrene were found to be 52.6 and 57.0 kJ/mole, respectively. A free-radical mechanism is postulated. |
