Influence of ferrocene on the solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Abstract

Kinetic study of the methyl methacrylate solution polymerization in the presence of ferrocene in solvents, differing in polarity (benzene, toluene, ethyl acetate) has been carried out. It is shown that the speed of the process is significantly increased and activation energy of polymerization falls largely in the presence of ferrocene. The influence of the polarity of the medium on the kinetic parameters of the process is traced. The largest increase in speed and drop in activation energy of polymerization observed in the most polar ethyl acetate. Keywords: methyl methacrylate; ferrocene; solution polymerization; solvent polarity.