FREE-RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF VINYLFERROCENE - 1. KINETICS.

Abstract

In the described investigation, the polymerization of vinylferrocene in benzene at 60 degree C in the presence of 2,2 prime -azobisisobutyronitrile has been studied. Densities and apparent densities were determined and rates of polymerization measured dilatometrically. The results show that vinylgerrocene does not obey normal vinyl polymerization kinetics. The unusual kinetics are due to a monomolecular termination of the polyvinylferrocene chain radical which is also intermolecular with respect to the chain radical. Termination occurs by an intramolecular electron transfer reaction from a ferrocene nucleus to the growing chain radical which deactivates the chain radical and produces a polymer molecule containing a high spin Fe (III) complex. The term ″intralectran″ is suggested to describe this new type of termination. Vinylferrocene readily undergoes transfer to monomer and to polymer, but not to benzene.