Synthesis and characterization of poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) initiated by stibonium ylide

1,2,3,4-Tetraphenylcyclopentadiene triphenyl stibonium ylide initiated radical polymerization of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (N-VP) in dioxane, at 60 +/- 0.2 degrees C. for 60 min under nitrogen atmosphere has been carried out. The system follows ideal kinetics, i.e., R-p proportional to [ylide](0.5) [N-VP](1.0). The values of k(p)(2)/k(t) and overall energy of activation have been computed as 0.5 x 10(-2) l mol(-1) s(-1) and 33 kJ/mol, respectively. The FT-IR spectrum shows a band at 1692 cm(-1) due to the C=O group of N-vinyl pyrrolidone. The H-1-NMR spectrum shows multiplet at 2.4 delta ppm and a doublet at 3.7 delta ppm due to CH2 protons. The DSC curve shows a glass transition temperature(T-g) as 48 degrees C. The presence of six hyperfine lines in the ESR spectrum indicates that the system follows free radical polymerization and the initiation is brought about by phenyl radical.