PURPOSE: To obtain the titled compound useful as a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator, easily in high yield, by reacting α,α'-azobis(methylisobutyrate) with ammonia gas in a non-aqueous solvent in the presence of a metal alkoxide.
CONSTITUTION: The objective α,α'-azobis(isobutylamide) of formula II can be produced by reacting α,α'-azobis(methylisobutyrate) of formula I with ammonia gas in a non-aqueous solvent in the presence of a metal alkoxide (e.g. sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium tert-butoxide, etc.). The characteristic feature of the process is the reaction in non-aqueous system. The process enables the production of the compound of formula II in a commercializable state in a short time in high yield, using stoichiometric or slightly excess amount of inexpensive raw material.
NAWA HIROMI
ISHIHARA MASAMI
SHIRAKI KAZUO
