Radical Copolymerization of Acrylic Monomers. II Effect of Solvent on Radical Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate and Styrene

The influence of various solvents on the copolymerization behavior of methyl methacrylate with styrene has been investigated. In these systems there is a significant solvent effect on both r_S and r_M which may be attributed to changes in the dielectric constant of the solvents used. The calculated relative reactivity of the polystyryl radical towards the methyl methacrylate monomer increases with increasing solvent polarity, whereas the reactivity of poly(methyl methacrylate) radical towards styrene monomer decreases. The results obtained are discussed taking into account the behavior of both monomers in homopolymerization with the same experimental conditions as in copolymerization.