Patent ID: 7906679
Filing Date: 2011-03-15
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A method for inhibiting polymerization during at least one of manufacture, purification, handling and storage of a subject ethylenically unsaturated monomer, the method comprising the steps of: introducing the monomer into apparatus for at least one of the manufacture, purification, handling and storage of the monomer, at least a portion of the apparatus in contact with the ethylenically unsaturated monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, an alpha alkyl acrylic acid, an alpha alkyl acrylic ester, a beta alkyl acrylic acid, a beta alkyl acrylic ester, methacrylic acid, an ester of acrylic acid other than methyl acrylate and 2-ethylhecyl acrylate, an ester of methacrylic acid, vinyl acetate, a vinyl acetate, a vinyl ester, a polyunsaturated carboxylic acid, a polyunsaturated ester, maleic acid, a maleic ester, maleic anhydride, and acetoxystyrene comprising a metal alloy containing sufficient copper to inhibit, in the presence of a gas containing oxygen, polymerization of the monomer within the apparatus, wherein said metal alloy comprises more than 40% nickel and cobalt, 25% to less than 60% copper and not more than 2.5% iron; and providing a gas containing oxygen in the interior of the apparatus containing the monomer; thereby inhibiting polymerization of the monomer in the apparatus.