ESR study of free radicals in poly(α-methylstyrene)

Radicals generated in poly(α-methylstyrene) (PαMSt) in various ways were studied by ESR. The dominating radical for all types of generation is the propagating radical of PαMSt. The cyclohexadienyl radical is evidently present during gamma-radiation. Besides the known propagating radical of PαMSt, a chain radical is also present. Both radicals are equally stable and cannot be separated even by using various types of generation or different conditions during preparation or decay.