Vinyl polymerisation of acrylonitrile initiated by the chromic acid/1,2‐propanediol system in aqueous perchloric acid

Abstract

Abstract The kinetics of polymerisation of acrylonitrile initiated by the redox system chromic acid/1.2‐propanediol was studied in aqueous perchloric acid at 30–45°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The rates of polymerisation and the Cr(VI) disappearance etc. were measured. Chromic acid alone did not initiate the polymerisation under deaerated and undeaerated conditions. On the basis of the experimental observation of the dependences of the rate of polymerisation, R p , the rate of Cr(VI) disappearance, – R m , etc. on various variables, a suitable kinetic scheme was proposed and various rate and energy parameters were evaluated.