A study was made of the polymerization of acrylamide (AA) in two-phase systems containing water and in concentrated aqueous solutions in presence of ammonia or caustic soda. It was found that polymers prepared by polymerization in these systems, when the latter contain not less than 0·5 wt.% caustic soda, or 1·3 wt.% ammonia, dissolve, completely in water. The rate of chain transfer through β,β′,β″-nitriletripropionamide molecules was determined. The probable causes of the formation of soluble polyacrylamide in concentrated aqueous systems in the presence of ammonia or caustic soda are analysed.
