Basic hydrolysis polyacrylamide

Unfortunately, the number of systems in which it can be established whether Keller s model is realistic for a particular case is severely limited since the original polymer is usually not soluble in the same medium as the ultimate reaction product. In cases where the entire course of the reaction can be followed, as in the basic hydrolysis of polyacrylamide, investigators have analyzed their results by a computer search for the k, k, k values which fit best their kinetic data (9). This, or course, does not answer the question whether the model using these three rate constants provides a full description of a particular case. 

Ionization, hydrolysis or saponification of acids or esters containing polymers have been discussed by several authors. However, Morawetz showed that the kinetics of the basic hydrolysis of polyacrylamide cannot be fully accounted for by the nearest neighbors interaction effects, probably because longer range coulombic interactions are also involved. 

Hydrolysis of polyacrylamide under basic conditions is guide rapid and can be used to introduce acrylate groups into macromolecules. 

At hydrolysis of polyacrylamide in 10 M NaCl at I00°C, the degree of hydrolysis becomes —95%, but in this case a degradation of the macromolecules is observed. Various modes of hydrolysis of polyacrylamide under basic conditions have been reviewed [2,12]. 

Water-soluble or -swellable synthetic polymers, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), polyacetals, poly(acrylic acid), and polyacrylamide, are all relatively stable at neutral pH, but undergo quite rapid chain scission under acidic or basic conditions. Typical commercial polymers can be classified according to their resistance to hydrolysis (158) as follows. 

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