The decomposition of aliphatic azo‐compounds. I

The thermal decompositons of dimethyl 2,2′-azo-isobutyrate and of ω,ω′-azo-toluene, which yield the radicals (CH3)2CCOOCH3 and C6H5CH2- respectively, have been investigated with a view to obtaining information on the nature of the radical-radical interactions occurring on polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene respectively. The results of these model experiments with monomeric radicals may indicate that the chain termination processes in both the above polymerizations involve combination and disproportionation in comparable amounts. The benzyl radical, C6H5CH2, seems to be prone to disproportionate into the benzal radical, C6H5CH and toluene.