The Mechanism of Oxidation of Synthetic Rubbers

Abstract

Abstract 1. Adequately reproducible results were obtained, and a complete balance was achieved between substances entering the reaction and the products of oxidation. 2. It is shown that the oxygen which enters into the reaction at all stages of oxidation is retained mainly in the form of peroxides, acids, and ethers. 3. The kinetics of polymer oxidation, and also the accumulation of intermediate reaction products, were studied at various temperatures. 4. It is shown that the cessation of oxidation occurs long before the exhaustion of the polymer's double bonds; the reasons for this phenomenon are revealed. 5. The decrease of unsaturation in the process of oxidation at different temperatures was studied. 6. It is shown that the process of oxidative decomposition is accompanied by polymerization. 7. It is shown that oxidation extends mainly to the double bonds in the principal chains, while polymerization is confined mainly to the double bonds in the side chains. 8. A diagram of the oxidative mechanism is given, including both of the directions of reaction (decomposition and polymerization).