4,4′-Azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) (ACPA) is a free radical initiator used in

polymer A polymer () is a chemical substance, substance or material that consists of very large molecules, or macromolecules, that are constituted by many repeat unit, repeating subunits derived from one or more species of monomers. Due to their br ...

synthesis.Sigma Aldrich Product Page
/ref> ACPA is a water-soluble initiator used in both heterogeneous and homogeneous free-radical polymerizations. It is used as an initiator in reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT). When heated to

decomposition Decomposition is the process by which dead organic substances are broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter such as carbon dioxide, water, simple sugars and mineral salts. The process is a part of the nutrient cycle and is ess ...

, c. 70 °C, it releases N₂ and produces 2 equivalents of reactive radicals capable of initiating polymerization.

References

Azo compounds Nitriles Dicarboxylic acids Radical initiators {{OrganicAcid-stub