New aliphatic azo compounds containing an .alpha.-hydroperoxy group and the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts thereof as represented by the general structure ##STR1## processes for preparing I where M is H and R is t-aliphatic by reacting t-aliphatic azo compounds having an .alpha.-halo substituent with about an equimolar amount of sodium or hydrogen peroxide; processes for converting I where M is H to its alkali or alkaline earth metal salt by reaction with aqueous solutions of the corresponding base or with calcium or sodium hydride; and the use of these novel compounds as polymerization initiators for vinyl monomers and as curing agents for resins. For example, 2-t-butylazo-2-hydroperoxy-4-methylpentane is prepared from sodium peroxide and 2-t-butylazo-2-chloro-4-methylpentane and used to polymerize vinyl chloride and to cure unsaturated polyester resin.
新的脂肪族偶氮化合物含有.alpha.-过氧基团和碱
金属和碱土
金属盐,其通式表示为##STR1##其中M为H,R为t-脂肪族,通过将具有.alpha.-卤素取代基的t-脂肪族偶氮化合物与约等摩尔量的过氧化
钠或
过氧化氢反应制备;通过与相应碱基的
水溶液或
钙或
钠氢化物反应将M为H的I转化为其碱
金属或碱土
金属盐的方法;以及将这些新化合物用作
乙烯单体的聚合
引发剂和
树脂的固化剂的用途。例如,2-t-丁基偶氮-2-过氧基-4-甲基
戊烷是由过氧化
钠和2-t-丁基偶氮-
2-氯-4-甲基戊烷制备的,并用于聚合
氯乙烯和固化不饱和聚酯
树脂。