Allyl ethers as apparent initiators of radical polymerizations

Certain allyl ethers, notably 2-hydroxyethyl allyl ether, appear to act at 60°C as comparatively feeble initiators of radical polymerizations of methyl methacrylate, styrene and acrylonitrile. Various observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the initiation is due to peroxidic compounds formed from the ethers as a result of auto-oxidation.