Radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presense of bis[4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-o-iminobenzosemiquinono]cobalt(II)

Radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate was studied in the presence of initiating systems based on bis[4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-o-iminobenzosemiquinono]-cobalt(II) and hydrocarbon halo derivatives of different structure. The introduction of amines in the polymerizing system was found to lead to a significant increase in the polymerization rate. The polymerization proceeds via the atom transfer mechanism, which was confirmed by detection of ω-terminal chlorine atoms in the macromolecules by NMR, the linear dependence of the polymer molecular weight on conversion of monomer, and the synthesis of block-copolymers.