Raman scattering from polymerizing styrene. I. Vibrational mode analysis

The frequencies and intensities of the Raman spectrum of thermally polymerizing styrene were measured in order to confirm (or correct) the mode assignments in the literature and to observe the effect of polymerization on the Raman active modes. The spectra were measured over a period of three weeks while an originally highly purified sample of monostryrene was kept at about 100 °C. The polymer vibrations are identified with their monomer ’’origins’’ which are in turn compared to known benzene (or benzene derivatives) and ethylene (or vinyl group) vibrations.