Vazo™ 88

Vazo™ 88 is a substituted azonitrile compound that decomposes when exposed to heat or light to form nitrogen gas and free radical intermediates. The free radical intermediates formed by the thermal decomposition of Vazo™ 88 are useful for initiating free radical polymerization of specialized polymers. Like other azonitrile initiators, Vazo™ 88 is unaffected by pH, does not undergo redox reactions, and does not decompose in the presence of free radicals. This makes Vazo™ 88 easier to use because fewer chemical reaction conditions need to be met to initiate polymerization effectively. Unlike organic peroxides, free radicals generated by Vazo™ 88 will not abstract hydrogen from growing polymer chains and can produce specialty polymers with minimal chain defects, branching, and cross-linking.

Vazo™ 88 has the highest thermal stability of the Vazo™ free radical initiators. It is most useful in polymerization reactions that require high temperatures to create polymers and chemical compounds used in a variety of industries, including transpiration, water treatment, construction, medicine, personal care, and more. It is also much safer than organic peroxide initiators and offers chemists more control over reaction conditions and final polymer structure. Vazo™ 88 may also be used as a chemical blowing agent for specialty foam applications. It has a 10-hour half-life at 88°C and should be stored away from light and ignition sources below 50°C to ensure product quality and safety.