Interaction of styrene with radical-anions and dianions of anthracene

Abstract

Interaction of styrene S with anthracene radical-ion A^–˙ and anthracene dianion A⁼ was investigated. A labile intermediate adduct ^–AS^– is formed either through electron transfer, A^–˙+S⇌S^–˙+A, followed by combination of A^–˙ with S^–˙, or by a direct addition, A⁼+S⇌^–AS^–. Electron transfer A⁼+S⇌S^–˙+A^–˙ does not take place. The intermediate reacts with styrene, giving ^–ASS^– which rapidly combines with anthracene and yields the dormant oligomer ^–ASSA^–. The latter slowly propagates further polymerization of styrene. Kinetic studies led to the determination of the following rate constants: [graphic omitted] and [graphic omitted]. The values are given in M^–1 sec^–1, and sec^–1.