Investigating the Effects of Cation Electrophilicity, Solvent, and Temperature on the N-Nitrosoamide-Mediated Polymerization of Styrene

Styrene was polymerized via thermolyses of N-4-R-benzyl-N-nitrosoamides in heptane, 1- chloroheptane, ethylene dichloride, and DMSO at various temperatures and the glass transition temperatures and MWs obtained. The data show that the polymer yield depends upon solvent, the 4-R-substituent, and temperature. In contrast, both the glass transition temperatures and the MW are insensitive to these factors.