Abstract
1-Methacryloyl-3-phenylthiourea (MAPTU) has been prepared and polymerized by a free-radical mechanism. The polymer formed has low molecular weight. The kinetic orders of the polymerization with respect to monomer and initiator, as well as the overall activation energy, were measured and found to be those expected for a free-radical scheme. This new monomer showed a tendency for cyclization to give a six-membered heterocycle. The effects of temperature and solvent on the rate of cyclization have been studied. MAPTU monomer and its homopolymer were found to form complexes with several metal ions. The stability constants of several phenyl-substituted MAPTU with Cu were measured and a correlation between log
K
X
K
H
and the Hammett constant was established. The MAPTU-Cu and polyMAPTU-Cu complexes were prepared and their stability constants were calculated. MAPTU was copolymerized with styrene and acrylonitrile. The reactivity ratios have been calculated by several methods.