The role of N‐acyllactam in polymerizations of lactams

Abstract

In anionic, cationic and non‐catalyzed polymerizations of lactams, highlyreactive N‐acyllactams are formed in slow initiation steps. These imides enter then the propagation and termination reactions. All types of lactam polymerizations can be accelerated by an intentional addition of N‐acyllactams or other acylating agents, including the polymerizations where N‐acyllactams are not spontaneously formed. The rate data of the initiation, propagation, transacylation and side reactions and of N‐acyllactam hydrolyses, alcoholyses, acidolyses and aminolyses are surveyed.