Methyl methacrylate was polymerized at a mass concentration of 200g/dm-3 in toluene using AIBN as initiator at a mass concentration of 1.64 X 10-2 gdm-3 and a reaction temperature of 60 oC. Calculate the initial rate of polymerization and the molar mass of the poly(methyl methacrylate) formed in the initial stages of the reaction. Given that the relevant rate constants at 60oC are:

i) initiator dissociation, kd= 8.5 X 10 -6 s-1.

ii) propagation, kp = 367 dm3 mol-1 s-1.

iii) termination, kt = 9.3 X 106 dm3 mol-1 s-1.

iv) transfer to monomer, ktrM = 3.93 X 10 -3 dm3 mol-1 s-1.

v) transfer to solvent, ktrS = 7.34 X 10 -3 dm3 mol-1 s-1.

Assume that the initiator efficiency is 70 %, that the termination by combination is negligible ie most occur by disproportionation, and that the density of the initial solution of MMA in toluene is 860 g dm-3.