Polymerization of complex systems. A study of the system methyl methacrylate–vinyl isobutyl ether–maleic anhydride by means of an NMR technique

It has been shown that the rates of polymerization of individual monomers in a mixture of monomers can be followed by means of an NMR technique. The technique is rapid and simple and requires very little sample. The system MMA–MA–VIBE was investigated by the technique. From the data obtained it was concluded that the polymer formed in a mixture of the three monomers is a block copolymer made up of (MMA) m and (MA–VIBE) n units, the lengths of which depend on the monomer concentrations.