Preparation of Polystyrene by a Free Radical Polymerization Process

Preparation of Polystyrene by a Free Radical Polymerization Process 

In 1838 Regnault [15] reported that vinylidene chloride could be polymerized. In 1839 Simon [16] and then Blyth and Hofmann (1845) [17] reported the preparation of polystyrene. These were followed by the polymerization of vinyl chloride (1872) [18], isoprene (1879) [19], methacrylic acid (1880) [20], methylacrylate (1880) [21], butadiene (1911) [22], vinyl acetate (1917) [23], vinyl chloroacetate [23], and ethylene (1933) [24]. Klatte and Rollett [23] reported that benzoyl peroxide is a catalyst for the polymerization of vinyl acetate and vinyl chloroacetate. 

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