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Polymerisation Inhibitor - Wikipedia
Polymerisation Inhibitor - Wikipedia
inhibitor
Inhibitors vs Retarders
The term 'inhibitor' is often used in a general sense to describe any compound used to prevent
unwanted polymerisation, however these compounds are often divided into 'retarders' and 'true
inhibitors'. A true inhibitor has a well defined induction period during which no noticeable
polymerisation takes place. They are consumed during this period and once gone
polymerisation occurs as normal. Retarders display no induction period but provide a permanent
decrease in the rate of polymerisation, while themselves being degraded only slowly. Attempts
have been made to define the difference quantitatively in terms of reaction rate.[2] In an industrial
setting compounds from both classes will usually be used together, with the true inhibitor
providing optimal plant performance and the retarder acting as a failsafe.
True inhibitors
Retarders
Purified monomers stored at ambient temperatures are of less risk of polymerising and as such
the most highly reactive inhibitors are rarely used at this stage. In general compounds are
chosen which can be easily removed immediately prior to industrial polymerisation to make
plastics. Compounds bearing a hydroxy group, which can be removed by an alkali wash, tend to
dominate. Examples include 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC), 4-methoxyphenol (MEHQ), butylated
hydroxytoluene (BHT) and hydroquinone (HQ).
See also
Anti-skinning agent - These agents prevent polymerisation in paints and varnishes by binding
to, and thus inhibiting, the action of oil drying agents
Tubulin polymerisation inhibitors - chemotherapy drugs that interfere with the tubulin system
References
1. Khuong, Kelli S.; Jones, Walter H.; Pryor, William A.; Houk, K. N. (February 2005). "The Mechanism of the
Self-Initiated Thermal Polymerization of Styrene. Theoretical Solution of a Classic Problem". Journal of
the American Chemical Society. 127 (4): 1265–1277. doi:10.1021/ja0448667 (https://doi.org/10.1021%2
Fja0448667) .
3. Ingold, Keith U. (May 2002). "Peroxy radicals". Accounts of Chemical Research. 2 (1): 1–9.
doi:10.1021/ar50013a001 (https://doi.org/10.1021%2Far50013a001) .
4. Becker, H.; Vogel, H. (October 2006). "The Role of Hydroquinone Monomethyl Ether in the Stabilization of
Acrylic Acid". Chemical Engineering & Technology. 29 (10): 1227–1231. doi:10.1002/ceat.200500401 (htt
ps://doi.org/10.1002%2Fceat.200500401) .
5. Pospíšil, Jan; Nešpůrek, Stanislav; Zweifel, Hans (October 1996). "The role of quinone methides in
thermostabilization of hydrocarbon polymers —II. Properties and activity mechanisms". Polymer
Degradation and Stability. 54 (1): 15–21. doi:10.1016/0141-3910(96)00108-5 (https://doi.org/10.1016%2
F0141-3910%2896%2900108-5) .
6. Ohkatsu, Yasukazu; Baba, Rie; Watanabe, Keiji (2011). "Radical Scaveging Mechanism of Distearyl
Hydroxylamine Antioxidant" (https://doi.org/10.1627%2Fjpi.54.15) . Journal of the Japan Petroleum
Institute. 54 (1): 15–21. doi:10.1627/jpi.54.15 (https://doi.org/10.1627%2Fjpi.54.15) .
7. Jackson, R. A.; Waters, William A. (1960). "332. Properties and reactions of free alkyl radicals in solution.
Part XIII. Reactions with aromatic nitro-compounds". Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed): 1653.
doi:10.1039/JR9600001653 (https://doi.org/10.1039%2FJR9600001653) .
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