Boron Alkyls and Metal Alkyl Initiators of Free-Radical Polymerizations

These initiators were originally reported a long time ago. Oxygen plays an important role in the reactions It reacts with the alkyls under mild conditions to form peroxides [Pg.43]

Initiating radicals apparently come from reactions of these peroxides with other molecule of boron alkyls. One postulated reaction mechanism can be illustrated as follows [Pg.43]

Catalytic action of oxygen was observed with various organometallic compounds. One example is dialkylzinc that probably forms an active peroxide. The same is also true of dialkylcadmium and of triethylaluminum. Peroxide formation is believed to be an important step in all these initiations. Initiating radicals, however, do not appear to be produced from mere decompositions of these peroxides. [Pg.43]

Big Chemical Encyclopedia