A study was made of radical polymerization of acrylamide in dimethylsulphoxide in the presence of various inorganic salts. It was established that the addition of lithium chloride, or calcium chloride markedly changes reaction parameters, but zinc chloride has no influence on polymerization of acrylamide. An increase in the overall rate of the reaction in the presence of small amounts of salts is due to a higher propagation rate constant. With high salt concentrations as a consequence of a sudden increase in the viscosity of the reaction system the rate constant for termination also has a marked effect on the overall rate of polymerization. Complex formation between acrylamide and lithium and calcium chloride was established by NMR. Stability constants of these complexes were determined. Results are explained bearing in mind complex formation between the salt and reacting particles. It is possible that the rate of polymerization is also influenced by conformational variation of macromolecules in the presence of salts.
