Polymerization of methyl methacrylate with cupric laurate-N,N-dimethyl formamide as initiator system

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate with cupric laurate in combination with N,N-dimethyl formamide as initiator was studied in carbon tetrachloride medium at 60°C. The rate of polymerization was found to be proportional to the 3/2th power of the monomer concentrations and to the square root of both cupric laurate and DMF concentrations. Spectroscopic investigations indicated a ternary complex formation involving cupric ion, methyl methacrylate, and DMF. A reaction scheme is suggested on the basis of these results and various kinetic constants have been evaluated.