Free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of a ferrocenyl-containing iron(II) clathrochelate complex and initiators of various natures

Benzoyl peroxide-, lauryl peroxide-, and AIBN-initiated free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate has been studied in bulk and solution in the presence of macrobicyclic iron(II) bis(ferrocenyl borate) tris(nioximate). It has been found that the ferrocenyl-containing iron(II) clathrochelate forms efficient initiating systems with peroxides, whereas, in the case of AIBN, its presence has no effect on the kinetic parameters of the process and the properties of the resulting polymer. The use of clathrochelate complex-peroxide initiator systems accelerates the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and decreases the molecular mass of the polymer. The kinetic parameters of the process have been determined.