Calculation of Alfrey–Price Q–e Values from 13C-NMR Data

A multiple-correlation analysis program was used to generate equations relating the Alfrey–Price Q and e values of vinyl monomers to the ¹³C-NMR absorption frequencies of the α- and β-carbon atoms of the monomers. Separate equations for the calculation of Q and e values of styrenes, chlorinated olefins, acrylates, methacrylates, vinyl ethers, and esters, nitrogen containing monomers, allyl compounds, and miscellaneous olefins were developed. The correlation coefficients of most of these equations were greater than 0.99 and permit accurate calculation of the Q and e values. The Q and e values so calculated may then be used to obtain estimates of the reactivity ratios in copolymerizations prior to actually performing the experiments. Attempts to develop a single Q value equation and a single e value equation for 63 vinyl monomers of the above classes resulted in relations having correlation coefficients of 0.63 and 0.81, respectively, too low to permit sufficiently accurate calculation of the Q and e values.