Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Any low temperature azo decomposition catalysts?

JefferyH - 11-7-2014 at 23:30

I have an azo compound (Azoisobutyronitrile) as an polymerization initiator that decomposes giving off N2 at 60-100 degrees. The substrate that will be undergoing polymerization is heat sensitive and cannot be heated to these temperatures. Heating a 1% mol of the azo separately and then adding it to the main reaction may not prove very effective since the radicals may quickly recombine and terminate.

I'm guessing there is some sort of catalyst that can be used that will cause the disruption of the N=N double bond to occur at room temperature. I thought I read something about it not long ago, but searching has not turned up many results.

[Edited on 12-7-2014 by JefferyH]