Polymerization of <i>N</i>‐vinylcarbazole. II. Kinetic studies on polymerizations involving azoisobutyronitrile and benzoyl peroxide

Abstract

Abstract The polymerization of N ‐vinylcarbazole at 60°C in benzene has been initiated with azoisobutyronitrile, benzoyl peroxide, and their mixtures. The kinetics indicate that the azonitrile and the peroxide promote polymerizations of fundamentally different types. The resulting polymers have been examined by gel‐permeation chromatography. The polymer produced with benzoyl peroxide contains a small amount of a high molecular weight fraction which, from the point of view of end groups, resembles the polymer made by use of the azonitrile. It is concluded that benzoyl peroxide in this system gives rise to two types of polymerization which occur simultaneously.