Copolymerization of methacrylic acid esters with methacrylonitrile

The reactivity ratios in the copolymerization of methacrylonitrile with styrene, methacrylic acid, and eleven alkyl methacrylates have been determined and the Alfrey‐Price Q and e values calculated. Monomer reactivity in these systems is principally a function of resonance stabilization ( Q ), polar factors ( e ) playing a relatively minor role. With the exception of the stearyl ester, the changes in the Q and e values which occur on ascending the homologous series can be accounted for qualitatively in terms of the expected relative electronic displacements and of the steric effects caused by the various alkyl groups. Some correlation between monomer reactivity and the depolymerizability of the corresponding polymer has been noted.