| abstract |
A process for reducing the amount of residual monomer in aqueous polymer dispersions operates by aftertreatment with an initiator system essentially comprisinga) from 0.001 to 5% by weight, based on the total monomer amount used to prepare the polymer dispersion,a1) of an oxidizing agent where R1 is hydrogen or a C1-C8-alkyl or a C6-C12-aryl group, and/ora2) of a compound which in aqueous medium releases hydrogen peroxide, andb) from 0.005 to 5% by weight, based on the total monomer amount used to prepare the polymer dispersion, of a reducing agent prepared fromb1) an aldehyde where R2 is a C1-C12-alkyl group which may contain functional groups and/or may be olefinically unsaturated, andb2) an inorganic dithionite, andc) catalytic amounts of a polyvalent metal ion which is able to exist in a plurality of valence states. |