Synthesis and characterization of new surface active azo initiators for radical reactions

Abstract

The synthesis of a water soluble azo initiators from 2,2′- azodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was performed in three steps: reaction of dinitrile with aromatic alcohols in the presence of HCl to form bisiminoesters hydrochlorides which are hydrolyzed to the esters and final regioselective sulfonation of the aromatic esters. The thermal decomposition of the azo initiators obtained leads to formation of two surface active radicals which can start the chain reaction.