Solvent effects on the reaction of t-butoxy radicals with methyl methacrylate

Abstract

Examination of the title reaction in a range of solvents shows that the ratio of hydrogen abstraction to t-butoxy radical addition increases with increasing solvent polarity. In several cases there is a competition between solvent and methyl methacrylate for reaction with t-butoxy radicals. The implications of these findings for polymer structure are discussed.