Synthesis and characterization of new surface active azo initiators for radical reactions

The synthesis of a water soluble azo initiators from 2,2'-azodiisobutyronit rile (AIBN) was performed in three steps: reaction of dinitrile with aromat ic alcohols in the presence of HCl to form bisiminoesters hydrochlorides wh ich are hydrolyzed to the esters and final regioselective sulfonation of th e aromatic esters. The thermal decomposition of the azo initiators obtained leads to formation of two surface active radicals which can start the chai n reaction.