Disclosed herein is a method for inhibiting the premature polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising adding to said monomers an effective amount of at least one inhibitor selected from the group consisting of C-nitrosoaniline and quinone imine oxime compounds. Also disclosed is a composition of matter comprising:

• A) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and
• B) an effective inhibiting amount, sufficient to prevent premature polymerization during distillation or purification of said ethylenically unsaturated monomer, of at least one inhibitor selected from the group consisting of C-nitrosoaniline and quinone imine oxime compounds used together with an effective amount of oxygen or air to enhance the inhibiting activity of said inhibitor.