Studies in some new initiator systems for vinyl polymerization. IV. Amino acids as the reducing component

Amino acids have been found to form good redox initiator systems with halogens (Cl<SUB>2</SUB> and Br<SUB>2</SUB>), KBrO<SUB>3</SUB>, KMnO<SUB>4</SUB>, and Fe(NH<SUB>4</SUB>)(SO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB>. The three systems, viz., glycine–Cl<SUB>2</SUB>, taurine-Cl<SUB>2</SUB>, and sulfamic acid-Cl<SUB>2</SUB> incorporate amine, carboxy (or sulfoxy), chlorine, and hydroxy endgroups in the resulting polymers, the monomer investigated being mainly methyl methacrylate. On the basis of endgroup results it is suggested that initiation through amino acid radical, chlorine radical and also through some hydroxyl radicals takes place. The probable termination mechanism is discussed