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Many monomers that readily undergo cationic polymerization, such as isobutylene, will not readily undergo anionic polymerization.
Styrene, however, can be effectively polymerized via cationic, anionic, or radical addition. Explain.
Nucleophiles, electrophiles and radicals are all equally able to attack a benzene ring.
Styrene is an exceptionally stable polymer, due to the aromatic rings, so any polymerization mechanism is favorable.
A phenyl group's inductive withdrawal of electron density is weak, so carbocations are not destabilized.
When in a benzylic position, a radical, a cation, or an anion would all be stabilized by resonance.
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