Controlled conversion of polyacrylamide into polyacrylic acid

Abstract

Interaction of nitrous acid with aqua solution of poly(acrylamide) gives poly(acrylic acid) in quantitative conversion yields. The reaction proceeds smoothly, with simultaneous evolution of nitrogen, provided that the temperature below 5°C. The procedure presented provides a versatile route to prepare acrylic acid-acrylamide copolymers in any desired composition, by adjusting molar ratio of nitrous acid.