Radiation-induced cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers in solution: 3. The influence of monomer and solvent concentrations on the rate of polymerization of ethyl vinyl ether in ether solvent

The influence of the monomer concentration on the rate of propagation of the radiation-induced polymerization of super-dry ethyl vinyl ether has been examined in detail in two ether solvents, diethyl ether and diglyme, chosen for their different dielectric constants and their different abilities to solvate ions. Estimations of the rate of initiation and of the rate of termination have made possible the evaluation of the rate constants of polymerization. Very similar values were obtained in both ethers. Experiments were also performed in benzene-diglyme and diglyme-methylene chloride mixtures. The results are in good agreement with the previous studies, made in benzene and methylene dichloride, and confirm the important role of the solvation of the free propagating species concerning the reactivities observed in the radiation-induced polymerization of EVE in solution.