A study on the reaction between N-substituted p-phenylenediamines and ozone: experimental results and theoretical aspects in relation to their antiozonant activity

The following p-phenylenediamines (PPD): N,N,N^′,N^′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPPD), N,N^′-dimethylbutyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD), N,N^′-diaryl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD), tris-(N-dimethylpentyl-p-phenylenediamine)-N^′,N^′,N^′-1,3,5-triazine (6PPDTZ), have been oxidized under the action of O₃ in diluted solutions. In all cases the radical cation or semiquinone radical was the first derivative formed by monoelectronic oxidation of the substrate. The radical cation has been studied by electronic spectroscopy and the electronic spectral changes of all mentioned PPD has been followed as function of the ozonation time. The results have been discussed in the frame of the antiozonant properties of these PPD which are used as antiozonant agents in diene rubber protection. It is shown that the antiozonant activity of each PPD considered correlates with the free enthalpy of formation of the respective radical cation. The lowest is the free energy of formation of a PPD radical cation and the highest is the antiozonant activity in a diene rubber compound.