Polymerization of Styrene with Autoxidized Methyl Linoleate as Radical Initiator

Autoxidized methyl linoleate was used as the initiator of radical polymerization of styrene and the influence of the oxidation levels on the structure of resulting polymers was investigated. Autoxidized methyl linoleate contained mainly monomers and oligomers with hydroperoxide moieties. They are able to work not only as an initiator but also as a crosslinking agent for the polymerization of styrene. The polymers synthesized by the oxidized products were not gelled and soluble in polar solvents completely. Therefore, the polymer was assumed to consist of linear (non-closslinked) chains having autoxidized methyl linoleate.