Grafting onto Wool. XXVI. Graft Copolymerization of Vinyl Monomers by Use of Cr(acac)3-TBHP as Initiator

Methyl methacrylate (MMA), methyl acrylate (MA), and ethyl acrylate (EA) have been graft copolymerized onto wool fiber in aqueous medium using the chromium acetylacetonate-tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide (Cr(acac)₃-TBHP) system as initiator. The percentage of grafting has been determined as a function of the concentrations of monomer, chelate, and TBHP, and the time and temperature under optimum conditions. MMA produced a maximum grafting of 119.8%, MA produced a maximum grafting of 56%, while EA afforded maximum grafting to the extent of 41.9%. Different vinyl monomers were found to follow the following reactivity order toward grafting onto wool fiber in the presence of the Cr(acac)₃-TBHP system: MMA > MA > EA.