SynopsisThe emulsion polymerization of MMA was studied in water using potassium persulfate as initiator and dodocyl benzene sodium sulfonate as emulsifying agent in the absence and presence of burnt mazote boiler deposit (BMBD). The BMBD has a catalytic effect on the polymerization reaction; its effect on the mean average molecular weights of the obtained polymers was also examined by viscosity measurements. The molecular weight distribution was obtained by thin layer chromatographic analysis. The polydispersity for the obtained polymers was wider when prepared in the presence of BMBD. The apparent activation energy among 65, 75, and 85°C for this system was 13.2 X lo4 J/mol and 9.2 x 104 J/mol when the polymerization is carried out in the absence and presence of 0.1 g BMBDI20 mL of the reaction mixture, respectively. The suitable mobile phase was ethylacetate or dimethylformamide as single eluent system. In case of binary eluent systems the mobile phase was benzene + methanol (1:1.4 by volume).