Relationship between Monomer Structure and Reactivity

There are two primary factors influencing monomer reactivity  

Both these factors are dependent on the monomer structure. 

Reactivities of monomers can be compared by examination of their transfer coefficients for a specific transfer agent. 

The effect of methyl substitution is to reduce the coefficient of transfer towards toluene showing that reactivity decreases with the degree of substitution on the C atom. 

Tensile strength, elongation and Tg are all related to monomer structure as illustrated in the table below  

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