Nonlinear regression by visualization of the sum of residual space applied to the integrated copolymerization equation with errors in all variables. II. Application to the system methyl methacrylate-alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone using on-line Raman spectroscopy

The copolymerization of -methylene--butyrolactone and methyl methacrylate in DMSO was studied by on-line Raman spectroscopy. Reactivity ratios for this system were estimated from the in situ conversion measurements. The estimates are in good agreement with estimates obtained from low-conversion experiments where the composition of the copolymer was analyzed by 1H-NMR. In order to obtain reliable estimates from the Raman data in combination with the integrated copolymerization equation, at least two experiments starting from different initial monomer feed fractions should be conducted.