Polymerization of N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide initiated by two new redox systems involving acidic permanganate

Two new redox systems, viz. KMnO₄ with ethyleneglycol and KMnO₄ with thioglycollic acid, have been used as initiators for the polymerization of the divinyl monomer, N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide. The initiating radical is formed when a monomer-Mn³⁺ complex interacts with the redox complex. An intramolecular cyclization prior to propagation is involved in the mechanism suggested to explain the kinetics. The higher rate of polymerization for this monomer, when compared with acrylamide and methacrylamide, gives added evidence for this new type of propagation.