Estimating reactivity in free radical copolymerizations

Given good reactivity ratio data for free radical vinyl copolymerizations, the use of the Alfrey—Price Q—e scheme permits the assignment of reactivity parameter values for individual monomers and the prediction of unknown reactivity ratios. A new, statistically based method has been developed and tested on a set of 11 monomers to estimate Q–e values for those monomers. The results of these estimates suggest that if care is exercised in the selection of monomer pairs for use in Q–e determinations, the Q–e scheme is quite reliable for reactivity ratio prediction on many monomer pairs.