That the radical polymerization of Styrene is initiated by meso-and dl-diethyl 2,3-dicyano-2,3-diphenyl succinate at the temperature 80℃ and 90℃ have been determined. Under the same condition, the reactive meso isomer as a initiator, the polymerization rate is faster than dl isomer, but the weight of polystyrene is lower than dl's. However, the molecular weight of products increase with reaction time in all case. The results indicate that the different polymerization properties of the two isomers for vinyl is related to their thermal stability on the polymrization kinetics.

Key words: REACTION KINETICS, STYRENE, POLYMERIZATION, ISOMER, RACEMIZATION, FREE RADICALS