Investigation of cationic copolymerization of styrene with p-benzoquinone

The kinetics of copolymerization of styrene with p-benzoquinone in the presence of BF₃OEt₂ is investigated. The rate constants and activation energy of the copolymerization process are determined. The reaction orders for monomer and catalyst are estimated. It is found that the rate of styrene and quinone copolymerization increase and the induction period decreases owing to addition of the latter. It is shown that the copolymerization rate achieves its maximum at an equimolal ratio of monomers. This phenomenon is explained by formation of active molecular complex between styrene and p-benzoquinone. On the basis of obtained data the course of copolymerization is interpreted and the cationic mechanism of copolymerization process is proposed.