Radiation-Induced Polymerization of Acrylonitrile in Liquid Ethylene

Abstract

The mixed system of 2 unsaturated compounds were irradiated by Co/sup 60/ gamma -rays at-78 deg C at the rate of 7 x 10/sup 4/ r/hr up to 6.4 x 10/sup 6/ r. Only acrylonitrile polymerized. The results indicated that both C = C and C/ sup -/=N bonds of acrylonitrile polymerized; however, the ratio of the 2 types varied with different concentrations of the monomer. Polymerization of the former occurred only in a bulk 100% monomer, while the latter occurred predominantly in a dilute monomer solution. This type of polymerization, C/sup -/ =N, would be an ionic mechanism, and probably anionic. It was concluded that polymerization of such a mixture was partially by the ionic mechanism in medium concentration of the monomer. The structures of the products are described. (OID)