Polymerization of alkyl (meth)acrylates in the presence of p-quinones

Abstract

The azobisisobutyronitrile-initiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, and butyl acrylate at 60 °C in the presence of p-quinones differing in the inhibitory power was studied. It was found that the kinetics of polymerization and molecular weight characteristics of polymers depend on the structure of the monomer and p-quinone. The effect of the p-quinone structure was found to have similar tendencies for all alkyl (meth)acrylates used. The polymerization of methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate is a combination of inhibited and controlled polymerization. The contribution of the controlled process under the conditions of primary polymerization is insignificant. The post-polymerization of methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate follows the mechanism of reversible inhibition. There are no indications of controlled polymerization in the primary and post-polymerization of butyl methacrylate.