Radical polymerization in the presence of complexing agents. III. Effect of low concentrations of ZnCl2 on the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate

The formation of complexes between ZnCl2 and methyl methacrylate (MMA) or between ZnCl2 and AIBN was tested at two different polymerization temperatures, taking into account the Haeringer and Riess treatment. For any concentration of ZnCl2 between 0.01 and 0.1 mole/liter the formation of ZnCl2−MMA complexes is favored, whereas AIBN−ZnCl2 complexes are hardly showed. The effect of zinc chloride on the stereostructure of poly(methyl methacrylate) was also investigated at both temperatures.