| Abstract: | The polymerization of acrylonitrile was studied in aqueous solution with ceric ammonium sulfate in the presence of triethylamine as initiator at 30, 40, and 50°C. The rate of polymerization was found to be linear with the concentration of the amine and independent of ceric ion concentration. A reaction scheme involving initial complex formation between ceric ion and the amine and subsequent disproportionation of the conplex to produce free radicals is proposed for the initiation reaction. The termination step is postulated as involving oxidation of the polymer chains by ceric ions. The results have been explained in the light of the proposed reaction scheme. |
