ZnCl2 complexes of para‐substituted phenyl methacrylates in radical copolymerization with styrene

Abstract Copolymerization of phenyl methacrylate, p‐tolyl methacrylate, and p‐chlorophenyl methacrylate with styrene was carried out in the absence and in the presence of ZnCl2. It was found by 13C NMR, 1H NMR, and IR spectroscopy that complexes of zinc chloride with the corresponding methacrylates are formed. Reactivity ratios as well as Q and e values for the monomers and complexes were calculated. A correlation between e values and 13C chemical shift of the vinyl group of monomers and complexes with ZnCl2 was found.