The [formula omitted] equilibrium and its influence on the ferric chloride photosensitized, cupric chloride inhibited polymerization of acrylonitrile in N,N-dimethylformamide

Abstract

The Cu(I),Fe(III)Cu(II),Fe(II) equilibrium in dimethylformamide solution has been found to favour the ferric/cuprous states. Cupric chloride has been used to inhibit the ferric chloride-photosensitized polymerization of acrylonitrile in dimethylformamide. The kinetics of the reaction are discussed in terms of termination by both ferric and cupric chlorides, and the reduction of cupric chloride by ferrous chloride. The value 1.75 × 105 M−1 sec−1 has been obtained for the rate constant for the scavenging of polyacrylonitrile radicals by cupric chloride.