Materials added to products that easily polymerize in order to control or prevent an undesired reaction.

• A. Catalysts
• B. Inhibitors
• C. Stabilizers
• D. Surfactants

Answer: (B)

Inhibitors are added to materials that tend to polymerize to prevent or delay unwanted polymerization during storage and handling. They work by neutralizing or scavenging the free radicals or initiating species that would start the chain reaction, effectively extending the induction period until you’re ready to use the material. This helps prevent premature curing, gelling, or runaway reactions in storage or transport.

Catalysts, by contrast, would speed up polymerization, which is the opposite of what’s needed here. Stabilizers protect the material from degradation due to heat, light, or oxidative damage, not specifically to prevent polymerization. Surfactants don’t control polymerization dynamics; they aid dispersion or wetting.