Aqueous polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by the redox system Ce(IV)–isopropyl alcohol. Kinetics and molecular weight

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in aqueous nitric acid in the temperature range 26–40°C, with the redox initiator system ceric ammonium nitrate–isopropyl alcohol. A short induction period was observed, as well as the attainment of a limiting conversion, and the total ceric ion consumption with reaction time. The reaction orders were 1/2 and 3/2 with respect to the IPA and monomer concentration, respectively, within the range (3–5) × 10 −3 M of Ce(IV). But at lower Ce(IV) concentration (≤ 1 × 10 −3 M ), the order with respect to monomer and Ce(IV) changed to 1 and 1/2, respectively. The rate of ceric ion disappearance was first order with respect to Ce(IV) concentration and ( R Ce ) −1 was proportional to [IPA] −1 . Both the rate of polymerization and the rate of ceric ion consumption increase with rise in temperature. The average‐molecular weight can be controlled by variations in IPA, Ce(IV), and monomer concentrations, and in temperature. A kinetic scheme involving oxidation of IPA by Ce(IV) via complex formation, whose decomposition gives rise to a primary radical, initiation, propagation, and termination of the polymeric radicals by bimolecular interaction is proposed. An oxidative termination of primary radicals by Ce(IV) is also included.