Thermal polymerization of styrene in the presence of some ferrocene derivatives. I. Evidence of ferrocene–styrene interaction

Styrene has been polymerized thermally at 60.5°C, without added initiator, in the presence of ferrocene. An increase in the rate of polymerization was observed, but the degree of polymerization remained constant. Evidence of ferrocene–styrene interaction is presented, and a kinetic scheme involving propagation with styrene in such an interaction state is proposed to account for these findings. Various kinetic parameters defined by this scheme have been evaluated.