Interaction of monomer radicals with nitroxides: A new access to the radical-radical combination rate constants

Acrylate, methacrylate and styrene monomer radicals produced by the addition of an aminoalkyl radical to the corresponding monomer unit were directly observed by laser flash photolysis. These radicals are characterized by a strong absorption in the near UV/visible part of the spectrum allowing to directly follow their interaction with different nitroxides usable in nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP). The recombination rate constants were measured: they are in agreement with the literature data when available; other values are new. This procedure is fast and reliable.