INTERACTION OF NITROGEN-OXIDES WITH POLY(VINYLPYRROLIDONE) AND POLY(CAPROAMIDE) - MOLECULAR AND FREE-RADICAL PRODUCTS

The mechanism for the reaction of nitrogen dioxide and poly(vinylpyrro lidone) or poly(caproamide) is discussed. As evidenced by UV and IR sp ectroscopy, the reaction with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) yielded mainly ni trites and nitrosoamides, while in the case of poly(caproamide), nitro soamides were the major products. Stable acylalkylnitroxyl and iminoxy l radicals were registered for the reaction with poly(vinylpyrrolidone ), while acylalkylnitroxyl radicals were detected in poly(caproamide). The formation of molecular products and stable radicals was initiated by the selective H abstraction from either N-H or C-H bonds taking al pha-positions with respect to the amide groups of monomer units.