Aspects of the radiation‐induced polymerization of 2‐vinyl anthraquinone

Abstract 2‐Vinyl anthraquinone has been polymerized, via radiation‐induced initiation, in dimethyl‐sulphoxide and in dichloromethane. Solvent to monomer ratios of 1 : 0.030 to 1 : 0.0167 mol have been examined for dose rates in the range 0.035 to 0.129 Gy s−1and exposure times in the range 1.44 × 104to 4.32 × 106s. Rates of polymerization were found to lie in the range from 2.4 × 10−8to 1.92 × 10−6mol L−1s−1. Values for the chain transfer constant to dimethyl‐sulphoxide and to dichloromethane have been calculated. In addition, values of the kinetic ratiok /kt, for the polymerization of 2‐vinyl anthraquinone have been estimated. The dependence ofRpon the monomer concentration and on the radiation intensity have been shown to be in broad agreement with a simplified steady‐state kinetic scheme. A value ofG(radical) for 2‐vinyl anthraquinone was obtained via electron spin resonance studies, and shown to be 0.24. ThisG(radical) value and those obtained indirectly from kinetic data are discussed in relation to the molar mass values obtained from the poly(2‐vinyl anthraquinone) products.