Bifunctional initiators, II. Bulk polymerization of styrene initiated by 4,4′‐azobis(4‐cyanopentanoyl)‐bis (α‐methylolbenzoin methyl ether)

Azo‐benzoin initiators are useful for the synthesis of polymers with photoactive end groups. The kinetics of the bulk polymerization of styrene initiated by 4,4′‐azobis(4‐cyanopentanoyl)bis(α‐methylolbenzoin methyl ether) (ABME) was investigated. On the basis of kinetic parameters, it was found that azo‐benzoin initiators exhibit initiator properties similar to that of common azo initiators. A relatively high chain transfer constant of the initiator (C₁) may be attributed to the presence of α‐methylolbenzoin methyl ether groups in the structure.