N,N′-Methylenebisacrylamide polymerization initiated by Ce(IV)—Malic acid redox system—A kinetic study

Free-radical-initiated linear cyclopolymerization of a symmetrical non-conjugated divinyl monomer, viz. N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide, was carried out using cerium sulphate as initiator and malic acid as activator, in an inert atmosphere at 25 ± 0.1°C. A gel-free polymer was formed under the experimental conditions. The order with respect to malic acid and monomer was found to be 1 and 2, respectively. The rate of polymerization was found to be inversely proportional to the concentration of Ce(IV). The overall energy of activation was found to be 25.5 kJ mol^?1. An intramolecular cyclization prior to propagation is proposed in formulating a suitable mechanism to explain the kinetic results.