The polymerization of some vinyl monomers with a dihydridorhodium complex [RhH
2 (PhNNNPh) (PPh
3)
2] -tetrahydrofuran (THF) system has been investigated. Methyl methacrylate (MMA), vinyl acetate, and styrene were polymerized with this system, while isobuthyl vinyl ether and acrylonitrile were not polymerized. The polymerization of these monomers could not be initiated with RhH
2 (PhNNNPh) (PPh
3)
2 alone. The polymerization of MMA with RhH
2 (PhNNNPh) (PPh
3)
2 in 1, 2-dimethoxy-ethane, diethyl ether and dimethyl sulfoxide was slower than that in THF, while no polymer was formed in other solvents such as benzene, acetone and N, N-dimethylformamide. The apparent overall activation energy for MMA polymerization with a RhH
2 (PhNNNPh) (PPh
3)
2-THF system was estimated to be 16.1 kcal/mol. The composition curve of the copolymerization of styrene with MMA by the use of this initiator agreed with that of the radical polymerization. The polymerization of MMA was inhibited by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. Hence, it has been concluded that the polymerization of vinyl monomers in this system proceeds through a free-radical mechanism.
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