Preparation of alkyl acrylate-acrylic acid copolymers by simultaneous hydrolysis and polymerization

The ability of concentrated nitric acid (65% HNO sub 3 ) to initiate reactions of polymerization when in contact with acrylic and methacrylic acids and esters at room temperature in the absence of other reagents has been studied. In the previous paper, the authors presented the results when the reaction was applied to methacrylic monomers. This work reports data obtained with methyl and ethyl acrylates; high molecular weight ester--acid copolymers were produced. The nature of the products and the course of the reaction are discussed. Graphs. 28 ref.--AA