Novel hydroxy peroxides of the Structure A [wherein R--, --R.sub.11 -- and --X-- are as defined in the Summary of the Invention Section], having 10 hour half-life temperatures of 85.degree.-100.degree. C., the processes for their preparation, and the use of these novel compositions in curing of unsaturated polyester resins and in initiating polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers.
The invention relates to a polymerization process wherein at least one initiator is selected from trioxepan compounds of formula I ##STR1## with R.sup.1-3 being independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups. Preferably, R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are selected from lower alkyl groups, such as methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl, while R.sup.2 is preferably selected from methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, amyl, isoamyl, cyclohexyl, CH.sub.3 C(O)CH.sub.2 --, C.sub.2 H.sub.5 OC(O)CH.sub.2 --, HOC(CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, and ##STR2##
A crosslinking system which includes a 1,2,4-trioxacycloheptane and a crosslink-promoting polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated compound. This system is employed in a process of crosslinking a thermoplastic polymer. Preferred polymers, useful in this process, include ethylene homopolymers and copolymers.
Novel hydroxy peroxides of the Structure A [wherein R--, --R.sub.11 -- and --X-- are as defined in the Summary of the Invention Section], having 10 hour half-life temperatures of 85.degree.-100.degree. C., the processes for their preparation, and the use of these novel compositions in curing of unsaturated polyester resins and in initiating polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers.
