Effect of ferric salts on the kinetics of polymerisation of acrylamide initiated by 4‐4′‐azo‐bis‐4‐cyanopentanoic acid

The kinetics of the radical polymerisation of acrylamide in the presence of ferric perchlorate and with 4,4′‐azo‐bis‐4‐cyanopentanoic acid as initiator, have been investigated over a range of 15–25°C. Rates of polymerisation at 25°C. have also been measured in the presence of ferric chloride and ferric sulphate. A linear relation exists between the overall rate of reaction and the reciprocal of the concentration of the ferric salt and the rate of polymerisation is proportional to the concentration of the initiator. The pre‐exponential factor and energy of activation of the initiation reaction have been calculated from the rates of polymerisation determined and the values found were 5.64.1012/sec. and 26.05 kcal./mole respectively.