HYDROLYSIS OF N-VINYLPYRROLIDONE IN THE PRESENCE OF POLYACRYLIC-ACID AND POTASSIUM PERSULFATE

The vinyl monomer N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) hydrolyses in aqueous solution in the presence of both polyacrylic acid and potassium persulphate. The rates of these hydrolyses have been measured; in the former case, the rate is the same as in the presence of acetic acid. In addition polyacrylic acid is cross-linked by potassium persulphate although the cross-linked polymer is still capable of interacting with complexing molecules such as polyvinylpyrrolidone. The mechanism of the NVP hydrolysis is shown to agree with that proposed by other workers although the dimeric product 1,1′bis(1′-pyrrolidonyl) ethane was not found. © 1979.