Polymerization of Acrylonitrile Initiated by the Mn(III)/Ethane Thiol Redox System

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Kinetics of vinyl polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by the redox system Mn(III)/ethane thiol were investigated in aqueous sulfuric acid in the temperature range of 30-45°C. The rate of polymerization, rate of manganic ion disappearance, etc. were measured. The effect of certain water-miscible organic solvents, neutral electrolytes, and organic nitrogen compounds on the rate has been investigated. A mechanism involving the formation of a complex between Mn(III) and the thiol, whose decomposition yields the initiating free radical with the polymerization being terminated by mutual combination of the growing radicals, has been suggested.