Kinetics of ruthenium (III) catalysed polymerization of methyl methacrylate by triethanolamine in presence of CCl₄

Abstract

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with triethanolamine (TEA) and carbon tetrachloride has been investigated in the presence of RuCl₃ and in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) medium by employing a dilatometric technique at 60^oC. The rate of polymerization (R<i>_p</i>) of MMA has been found to be proportional to [MMA], [TEA]^1/2 [CCl4]^1/2 and {k<i>^I</i>+ k<i>^II</i>[RuCL₃]^1/2} where k<i>^I</i> and

k<i>^II</i> are rate constants for uncatalysed and catalysed polymerization respectively. The rate of polymerization has been inhibited by hydroquinone, suggesting a free radical mechanism. The kinetic data indicate the possible participation of the charge transfer complex formed between {TEA-Ru^III} and CCl₄ during the polymerization of MMA. In the absence of either TEA or CCl₄, no

polymerization of MMA has been observed under the present experimental conditions.