Solvation effect in thermal decomposition of 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile on the N,N-dimethylformamide/methyl methacrylate system

The thermal decomposition rate constant of AIBN (??_d) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)/methyl methacrylate (MM) mixtures of various compositions at 60°C is studied. The ??_d value is 6.45 × 10^?4min^?1 for pure DMF and 7.20 × 10^?1 min^?1 for pure methyl methacrylate. The ??_d values of DMF/MM mixtures were found to be dependent on the mixture composition. This dependence is not a linear function of the monomer mole fraction, but has a minimum at ca. 20 30 mol% of MM. The relationship between the AIBN decomposition rate constant and the monomer mole fraction was interpreted on the basis of solvation of the initiator molecules. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.