ABSTRACT:The addition reaction mechanism of thiophenol with styrene was studied as a model of the polyaddition of 1,4-benzenedithiol to 1,4-divinylbenzene. The addition reaction of thiophenol to styrene occurred without a side reaction and an adduct of the anti-Markownikoff's structure (>SCH 2CH 2 >) was quantitatively obtained. The kinetic study shows that the rate-determining step of the addition reaction is the chain transfer reaction between thiophenol and P-phenylthiostyryl radical. The substituent effect of the chain transfer reaction was determined on various thiophenols and styrenes. Fairly good linear correlation was obtained for the Hammett plot of logk" to u+ on both monomers (p(k1r(St))= -0.60, p(k,,(TP)}= +0.64). These results are discussed in detail by comparing with polyaddition.