Polymerization initiated by an electron donor–acceptor complex. VI. Polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by a liquid SO2–nicotine complex and carbon tetrachloride

A kinetic study has been made of polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by an electron donor–acceptor complex of liquid SO₂ (electron acceptor) and nicotine (donor) in the presence of carbon tetrachloride. It is concluded that the polymerization proceeds through free-radical intermediates similar to the cases of liquid SO₂–pyridine and liquid SO₂–poly(2-vinylpyridine) complexes. The overall rate of polymerization is proportional to the square root of both liquid SO₂ and nicotine concentrations, and the values of k_p/k_t^½ under various polymerization conditions are in satisfactory agreement with the literature values. For the activation energy of initiation, 13.6 kcal/mole is estimated from the k_p/k_t^½ values obtained at temperatures ranging from 0 to 80°C.