Polymerization of methylmetacrylate in the presence of quaternary ammonium salts

Summary At 50°C, trioctyl methyl ammonium salts influence the rate of bulk polymerization of methylmetacrylate initiated by dibenzoyl peroxide. Acetate increases it, chloride, chlorate, and bromate increase it only on start, hydroxide, bromide, tetrachlorozincate, trifluoroacetate and trifluoromethanesulfonate decrease it, iodide and dichromate inhibit the polymerization, whereas fluoride, perchlorate, some (substituted) benzoates as well as sulfonates do not change the reaction rate. The influence on kinetic parameters of polymerization and the formation of intermediates and products suggest that the exchange of anions between the quaternary ammonium salt and dibenzoyl peroxide is the primary mechanism of action of these salts and other effects accompany it.