Characteristic features of the radical polymerisation of water-soluble monomers

The results of studies on the influence of the nature of the solvent on the kinetics of the radical polymerisation of water-soluble monomers are surveyed. It is noted that the rate of the process and the chain propagation rate constant in the polymerisation of monomers of this kind change sharply on passing from organic solvents to aqueous solutions. Comparative analysis of the kinetic data and the results of spectroscopic and viscometric studies made it possible to put forward a mechanism for the polymerisation of water-soluble monomers in various solvents. A distinctive feature of the polymerisation of water-soluble monomers is the hydrophobic interactions arising in aqueous solutions of the polymers and leading to a sharp difference between the kinetic parameters of the polymerisation of monomers of this class in water and organic solvents. The bibliography includes 76 references.