Applicability of the Mayo–Lewis equation to high conversion copolymerization of styrene and methylmethacrylate

In contradiction to reports from this and other laboratories, this study reports that the integrated Mayo–Lewis equation, or Meyer–Lowery equation, adequately describes the high‐conversion free radical copolymerization of styrene and methylmethacrylate. The copolymerization was monitored by following the changes in the feed composition using NMR, as well as determination of the resulting copolymer compositions by NMR and UV. “Error in all Variables” statistical techniques were used to produce estimates of the reactivity ratios. The reactivity ratios estimated were, from feed composition, NMR, r1 (styrene) = 0.472, r2 = 0.454, from copolymer composition, UV, r1 = 0.497, r2 = 0.464, and NMR, r1 = 0.432, r2 = 0.422.