A Classification of Polymerizations from a Kinetic Point of View

Abstract

Abstract Polymerizations were classified from a kinetic point of view. The polymerizations were divided into those with a rapid initiation and those with a slow initiation, according to the magnitude of the initiation rate in relation to the propagation rate. Both of these groups were then divided into stationary and non-stationary polymerizations according to the change in the number of moles of the propagating species with the reaction time. The next sub-classification, into chain and successive polymerizations, was made by estimating the change, with the reaction time, in the number-average degree of the polymerization of the polymer formed. Each proposed class was shown to possess a characteristic kinetic feature. Several examples of each class were collected.