This book explores the chemical processes of the radical polymerisation of different vinyl monomers, initiated vulcanisation of rubbers and curing of the polyester resins. Organic peroxides are mainly used as the initiators. Their main advantages are the thermal stability within the definite interval of temperatures and in different media, reactivity of the primary oxy -- radicals in different reactions and their initiation efficiency and non -- toxicity of the final decomposition products. The complexity of the above -- said properties of the organic peroxides should be taken into account under solving the problem of their purposeful synthesis.

Since the early investigations by Berthelot (1862) and N.A. Menshutkin (1887) the solvent effects on the chemical reaction rate is an object of regard for chemists. Primarily, solvents were considered as reaction media, and attempts were made to explain solvent effects by pure physical interactions. In recent decades, specific (chemical) interactions between solutes and the medium became of greater attention. Further on, the necessity of combined consideration of all solvation interactions in the solution was highly apprehended. Hence, a solvent may not only solvate the initial reagents and the initial state, but also take active part in its formation. Such consideration may be performed using linear free energy relationships (LFER). Numerical accuracy of the description will depend on adequacy of a formal solvation model which forms the basis of corresponded linear free energy (LFE) equation. At present, Koppel-Palm and Kamlet-Taft models are the most widespread. Corresponded reviews of various models are discussed. However, it should be remembered that these approaches are not the final dogma and are permanently changed and modified.