Vinyl polymerization XXVIII. The polymerization of styrene initiated by tetralkyl thiuram disulfides

A study of the polymerization of styrene initiated by various tetralkyl thiuram disulfides has been made at the temperature range from 50 to 90°C. It was proved that the rate of polymerization increased with the 0.3–0.5 power of the Concentration of thiuram initiator and showed an over‐all activation energy of 17 to 23 Kcal./mole. These thiuram disulfides had a retarding action on the polymerization of styrene and weak initiating Activity under thermal conditions. However; in the presence of Eght, they were excellent as polymerization initiators.