Kinetics of Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate Initiated by the V5+/Thioacetamide Redox System

Kinetics of the polymerization of methyl methacrylate has been investigated in aqueous sulfuric acid in the temperature range of 35-50°C in the presence of the redox system V 5 + /thioaceta-mide. The rate of polymerization and the rate of V 5+ ion disappearance have been measured. The effect of various additives such as water-miscible organic solvents, neutral electrolytes, complex-ing agents, and solvent composition on the rate have been thoroughly studied. A mechanism involving the initial complex formation between the thiol form of the thioacetamide and V 5+ , whose decomposition yields the initiating free radical, with the polymer chain terminated by metal ion has been suggested.