| Abstract: | Polymerization of methyl methacrylate has been studied with the chromium acetylacetonate–triisobutyl aluminum catalyst system in benzene medium at 40°C. These studies have been carried out at an Al/Cr ratio of 12 to compare the behavior with the previously studied chromium acetyl acetonate–triethyl aluminum catalyst system. The enhanced yield and gelling of polymer suggests a free-radical mechanism of polymerization. Further, the kinetics of polymerization and the heterotactic structure of polymer as determined by NMR examination have led to confirmation of the freeradical mechanism of polymerization of methyl methacrylate by an excess of triisobutylaluminum in the presence of catalyst complex. |
