The reactions undergone by elemental copper and iron in the presence of 1-acetyl-2-phenylhydrazine, 1-acetyl-2-phenyldiazine and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline based anaerobic adhesive cure systems was investigated. Polarography was employed to determine the relative rates of generation of higher and lower oxidation states of the transition metal ions over time. Transition metal ions, particularly in the lower oxidation state, are vital in the initiation of polymerisation of anaerobic adhesives. It was found that higher concentrations of the lower oxidation state of both iron and copper were generated by adhesive accelerators in combination with saccharin as distinct from maleic acid.