The Reaction of N,4-Dinitroso-N-Methylaniline and Polymers
Abstract Both nitroso groups participate in the reaction of N,4-dinitroso-N-methyl-aniline (DNMA) with various polymers, and the pathways of the reaction are influenced by the reaction conditions. In dilute solution the rate of the reaction is proportional to the amount of unsaturation present and is pseudo-first order with respect to DNMA at elevated temperature with or without polymers present. The iV-nitroso group undergoes thermal fission liberating nitroxyl and N-methyl-p-nitrosoaniline free radicals. The presence of hydrocarbons with labile hydrogen accelerates the hydrogen abstraction by the amine free radical to form N-methyl-p-nitrosoaniline and a hydrocarbon free radical, which may combine with another amine free radical to form a hydrocarbon with pendent N-substituted-N-methyl-p-nitrosoanilme group. The 4-nitroso group of DNMA adds to the double bond, leading to the formation of an adduct with N-methyl-N-nitroso-p-phenylenediamine pendent group. Depending on the reaction conditions, the 4-nitroso groups may form azoxy compounds or may be oxidized to nitro groups. The bifunctionality of DNMA leads to the formation of crosslinked polymers or to chemical promotion of carbon black reinforcement with N, N′-disubstituted-N-methyl-p-phenylenediamine type crosslinks.