Can the HRP–ACAC binary system initiate acrylamide polymerisation?

In this communication, acrylamide (AM) polymerisation to poly(acrylamide) was initiated by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and acetylacetone (ACAC) without hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy showed that free radicals of ACAC and AM were present in the reaction. Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), FT-IR, 1H-NMR and relative viscosity indicated that the product was PAM. Furthermore, the enzymatic cycling mechanism of the HRP–ACAC–H2O2 ternary system was also explained.