Abstract: | The kinetics of phase-transfer catalyzed free-radical polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) was carried out with water-soluble initiator peroxomonosulphate (PMS) with phase-transfer catalysts (tetrabutylammonium chloride and benzyltributylammonium chloride (TBAC and BTBAC) in tolune/water two-phase systems in the temperature range of 45–55°C at fixed pH (4) and ionic strength. The rates of polymerization (Rp) were evaluated at various values of [PMS], [PTC], and [AN]. It has been observed that the rates of polymerization increase with an increase of [AN], [PMS], and [PTC]. A kinetic scheme has been proposed to account for the experimental observations. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |