Vinyl polymerization. 195. Effect of trace metals on the polymerization of methyl methacrylate the presence of macromolecules and water: Activation analysis of metals in cellulose and silk

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in the presence of silk cellulose and water in order to study the effect of trace metals contained in the fibers the polymerization. It was found that ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid retarded the polymerization, and that the addition of trace metals to the reaction systems could not initiate or accelerate the polymerization. Activation analysis was also made for the fibers. From the results it was concluded that the polymerization was not caused by such trace metals previously present in the fibers, but initiated only by the system of fiber and water.