Grafting onto wool. VIII. Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) by use of Ce4+ -amine system as redox initiator

In an attempt to determine the role of a variety of amines in ceric-ion-initiated grafting, poly-(methyl methacrylate) was graft copolymerized onto Himachali wool in the presence of a variety of amines that included ammonia, diethylamine (DEA), dipropylamine (DPA), triethylamine (TEA), triethanol amine, and pyridine. All amines (with the exception of DEA) reduced the percent grafting. The reactivity of various amines toward graft copolymerization followed the order: DEA > DPA > NH₃ > TEA > triethanol amine > Py. An explanation based on the basicity, nucleophilicity, and steric requirement of amines is given to explain the observed reactivity order shown by the various amines toward graft copolymerization.