Sodium nitrite and ascorbic acid: A metal-free combination that controls the free-radical polymerization of tert-butyl methacrylate in water

Abstract

A mixture of sodium nitrite and ascorbic acid is able to control the radical polymerization of tert-butyl methacrylate (tBMA) in water at 80°C. Indeed, sodium nitrite is reduced by the ascorbic acid, and the nitric oxide (NO) which is formed in situ is nothing but a promoter of nitroxyl radicals. The radical polymerization of tBMA is thus basically controlled by a nitroxide-mediated process.