Paramagnetic Resonance of Radicals of Some Aromatic Vinyl Compounds. I

Paramagnetic resonance of radicals of the aromatic vinyl compounds in the tetrahydrofuran and dioxane solutions was observed: styrene, α-methyl styrene and p-methyl styrene. By analyzing the observed spectra the structure of the radicals is discussed. From these results it may be concluded that the reaction of the aromtic vinyl compounds with alkali metal proceeds through two steps ; formation of their radical anions, and successive addition of the monomers to this radical anion turning into “living polymers”.