Modeling Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization of Butyl Acrylate†

The kinetics of butyl acrylate (BA) atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) up to 2 000 bar has been modeled via PREDICI. A novel software package has been used in conjunction with PREDICI to perform automatic simulation and data processing within an extended range of polymerization conditions. The polymerization rate is enhanced with pressure, although to a weaker extent than in the ATRP of styrene and methyl methacrylate. Modeling suggests that intramolecular chain-transfer in BA polymerization is significantly accelerated at high pressure.