Effect of Co and V complexes on polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by AlEt₂Br-TEMPO catalyst

2,2,6,6-Tetramethyl piperidinoxy (TEMPO) activated with diethyl aluminum bromide was employed as an initiator system for methyl methacrylate polymerization. Effect of addition of Co(acac)₃ and VO(acac)₂ complexes to the initiators system on methyl methacrylate polymerization were studied in benzene solvent. Various reaction parameters such as Al/TEMPO, monomer concentration, reaction temperature and time applied to the polymerization were investigated. The polymer yields, molecular weight and molecular weight distributions can be controlled with the addition of Co(acac)₃ to the initiator system. PMMA's of molecular weight distributions, as low as 1.10 was obtained under relatively mild conditions, in the temperature range 40-60°C in benzene solvent. However, Co and V complexes did not influence the micro structure of the PMMA's formed.