Chain reaction auto-inhibition

The detailed mechanism for these Co AlPO-18- and Mn ALPO-18-cata-lyzed oxidations are unknown, but as previously pointed out vide supra) and by analogy to other metal-mediated oxidations a free-radical chain auto-oxidation (a type IIaRH reaction) is anticipated [63], This speculation is supported by several experimental observations that include (1) an induction period for product formation in the oxidation of n-hexane in CoAlPO-36, (2) the reduction of the induction period by the addition of free-radical initiators, (3) the ability to inhibit the reaction with addition of free-radical scavengers, and (4) the direct observation of cyclohexyl hydroperoxide in the oxidation of cyclohexane [62],... 

Styrene monomer will spontaneously or auto-polymerize and must be inhibited to prevent reaction during transport and storage. Polymerization is initiated by the generation of free radicals either by the reaction of the styrene with itself ( auto-initiation ) or by means of a peroxide initiator ( chemical initiation ). Radicals rapidly propagate by reaction with monomer and ultimately terminate by coupling with another growing radical or by transferring the radical to a small molecule to start a new chain (chain transfer). 

In many reactions of both chain and catalytic types, one of the reaction products acts like an inhibitor. In these frequent cases of self-inhibition, the rate may go down to zero before the end of the reaction can be reached. A more exceptional situation corresponds to the case where one of the reactants is an inhibitor. It might be expected that the rate would exhibit auto-catalytic behavior as the reaction proceeds. 

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