Polydiene Oxidations with Singlet Oxygen

Abstract

Abstract Excited molecular oxygen in its singlet delta (1Δg) state can be made chemically in homogeneous solution and in the gas-phase by the electrodeless discharge of ground state oxygen. Both techniques have been used to perform oxidations of polydiene systems. Solutions of high cis, trans, and vinyl polybutadienes have been treated with singlet oxygen produced in situ. Only the high cis and high trans were oxidized, apparently by different mechanisms. Squalene, a model for polyisoprene, has been oxidized in solution and the initially formed hydroperoxides reduced and analyzed and found identical to the product from a photosensitized oxidation. Cis-polybutadiene films were treated with gas-phase singlet oxygen and the extent of surface oxidation was monitored spectroscopically and chemically.