Polyaminocarboxylic acids–Ce(IV) redox systems as an initiator in acrylamide polymerization

Acrylamide polymerization by Ce(IV)‐polyaminocarboxylic acids, i.e., EDTA, DTPA, EGTA, and NTA, which have strong chelating properties, have been studied at different [H⁺], initiator concentration, and reaction time. Initiation of polymerization proceeds through the formation of the free radical after decarboxylation of the carboxyl group of polyaminocarboxylic acid. Results also indicate that the termination of the polymerization reaction is mainly mutual termination. Decrease of the rate of disappearance of the cerium(IV) is in the order of DTPA ≥ EDTA > NTA > EGTA. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.