Studies on monomer reactivity ratios. I. An electronegativity model

A model based on an electronegativity scheme is proposed for treatment of monomer reactivity ratios in free-radical bulk copolymerization. Values for each monomer are assigned to three parameters: a relative localization (or resonance stabilization) energy, a radical electronegativity, and a monomer electronegativity. Parameters for 17 monomers are given and calculated reactivity ratios are tabulated for a large number of copolymerizations. Agreement with experiment is usually obtained to within experimental error except for systems involving acrylonitrile. Computed parameters are rationalized on the basis of molecular orbital theory.