Polymerization kinetics of acrylonitrile by oxidation: Reduction system using potassium persulfate/ascorbic acid in an aqueous medium

The kinetics of acrylonitrile polymerization initiated by free radicals formed in situ in a potassium persulfate/ascorbic acid redox system was investigated in an aqueous sulfuric acid medium in the temperature range of 40–70°C. The rate of polymerization and the rate of the disappearance of potassium persulfate were measured. A kinetic scheme involving the production of initiating radicals from the oxidation of ascorbic acid by potassium persulfate ions and termination exclusively by the interaction of chain radicals with persulfate ions is proposed. The effects of some water‐miscible organic solvents on the rate of polymerization were investigated. The temperature dependence of the rate was studied. A possible mechanism consistent with the experimental data is proposed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011