Transfer reaction of the polystyrene radical with electron-acceptor molecules of tetrachlorophthalanhydride

Abstract The transfer constants ( C s ) of the polystyrene radical with some derivatives of phthalic acid have been determined. Among the agents used, tetrachlorophthalanhydride (TCPA) differs distinctly from other compounds by its value of C s 3·1 × 10 −3 for thermal and 3·4 × 10 −3 for initiated polymerization of styrene. The values of C s for phthalanhydride, dimethyl phthalate, and tetrachlorodimethyl phthalate are lower by two decimal orders. The considerable decrease in the degree of polymerization of styrene prepared in the presence of TCPA is mainly attributed to the increased reactivity of chlorine atoms in TCPA induced by the acceptor effect of anhydride ring. Participation of a TCPA-styrene complex in transfer reaction has been assumed but not proved.