Investigating the effects of cation electrophilicity, solvent, and temperature on the N-nitrosoamide-mediated polymerization of styrene

Styrene was polymerized via thermolyses of N-4-R-benzyl-N-nitrosoamides in heptane, 1-chloroheptane, ethylene dichloride, and DMSO at various temperatures and the glass transition temperatures and MWs obtained. The data show that the polymer yield depends upon solvent, the 4-R-substituent, and temperature. In contrast, both the glass transition temperatures and the MW are insensitive to these factors.