AbstractThe rate of thermolysis of various 1,1,4,4‐tetraalkyl‐2‐tetrazenes was measured in ethanol by means of UV‐spectroscopy. The rate measurements were carried out over a temperature interval from 90 to 115°C. The activation parameters were calculated from the temperature dependence of the rate constants. On the basis of the kinetic data, the influence of substituents on the thermolysis of 2‐tetrazene is discussed. In this connection the substituent effect on the rate of polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by 2‐tetrazene derivatives was a