Alternating copolymerization of β‐methylstyrene and maleic anhydride

Abstract Alternating copolymers of β‐methylstyrene and maleic anhydride were prepared by free‐radical‐initiated polymerization in bulk and in toluene as a solvent. The reactivity ratios k1c/k12 and k2c/k21 were calculated from the change of copolymerization rate with a monomer feed at a constant total monomer concentration according to the generalized model of Shirota and coworkers. From the equation Rp = Rp(f) + Rp(CT) were calculated Rp(f) and Rp(CT), and it was found that in toluene the copolymerization proceeds predominantly by the addition of CT‐complex monomers. Termination occurs predominantly by homotermination of β‐methyl‐styrene macro free radicals, kt22, but the cross termination kt21 is also operative.