Grafting onto Wool. XV. Graft Copolymerization of MA and MM A by Use of Mn(acac)3 as Initiator

Graft copolymerization of acceptor monomers MA and MMA onto Himachali wool fiber in an aqueous medium was studied by using Mn(acac)s as initiator. Nitric acid was found to catalyze the graft copolymerization. Percentage of grafting and percent efficiency have been determined as functions of the concentration of chelate, nitric acid, monomer, time, and temperature, Under optimum conditions, MMA produced a maximum grafting of 82.5% while MA afforded maximum grafting to the extent of 27.5%. Relative reactivities of MA and MMA toward grafting have been compared with those of EA, BA, and VAc reported earlier from this laboratory. Different vinyl monomers were found to follow the following reactivity order toward grafting onto wool fiber in the presence of Mn(acac)₃: MMA > EA > BA > MA > VAc. An attempt has been made to explain the observed reactivity pattern shown by different vinyl monomers in graft copolymerization reactions.