Catalytic chain transfer copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate

Bis(aqua)bis((difluoroboryl)dimethylglyoximate)cobalt(II) (COBF) is an effective catalytic chain transfer agent in the copolymn. of Me acrylate (MA) and Me methacrylate (MMA). The chain transfer activity depends on the fraction of MMA in the monomer feed and the total radical concn. The polymn. can be described by a model that combines features of catalytic chain transfer for MMA homopolymn. and cobalt mediated controlled radical polymn. of MA. According to the model part of the COBF is covalently bonded to MA-ended polymeric radicals and cannot take part in the chain transfer step. The model can also account for the obsd. inhibition time that occurs at high chain transfer agent concn. and low fraction of MMA in the monomer feed. [on SciFinder (R)]