Mechanisms of chain scission and the role of oxidation products in the oxidative radiolysis of ethylenepropylene copolymer

Many works have been devoted to the photo-oxidation of polyolefins but numerous questions remain. The aim of this paper is to constitute a complementary source of informations leading to the radiation oxidation mechanism of these polymers which could explain the chain scission process the basis of the alteration of mechanical and physical properties of polyolefins. It can be seen from our results that the hydroperoxides and the ketones are primary products of the reaction. A new secondary reaction efficiently leading to the alteration of mechanical properties has been proposed.     

Photodegradation and photo-oxidation of poly(vinyl chloride) in solution

Quantum yields of dehydrochlorination and of main chain scission were determined for photolysis of PVC in solution in tetrahydrofuran and 1,2-dichloroethane. The observed auto-accelerated degradation results from an increased absorption of light by the growing polyene structures. The presence of oxygen enhances the efficiency of dehydrochlorination, chain scission and crosslinking processes. From the constant quantum yields, it is inferred that energy transfer occurs from the absorbing polyenes and that initially present unsaturations are responsible for initiation of the degradation.     

Physico-chemical aspects of polyethylene processing in an open mixer. Part 23: Mechanisms and kinetics of trans-vinylene group consumption

There are many potential reactions for trans-vinylene groups in oxidizing polyethylene melts. The main possibilities are reactions with peroxy radicals, molecular oxygen, hydroperoxides and peracids. These different reactions can all contribute to the removal of trans-vinylene groups to some extent. This is especially so, for the reactions with hydroperoxides that have been found to be the dominant reactions with vinylidene and vinyl groups in the low temperature range. The reaction with peroxy radicals is thought to be as important relatively as with vinylidene groups. Therefore, the importance of the reaction is decreasing with increasing temperature. However, the most characteristic reaction for trans-vinylene groups can be detected without any doubt only in the advanced stages of processing. It is mechanical stress induced oxygen addition to the double bond. The discussion shows that the reaction should be important from the beginning of processing. The reaction cannot operate with vinyl and vinylidene groups, which are not part of the polyethylene main chain. After oxygen addition to the trans-vinylene group, the “ene” reaction yields an allylic hydroperoxide so that the double bond is not immediately removed. It is acid catalyzed hydroperoxide decomposition that leads to chain scission with aldehyde formation at the new chain ends.     

Photosensitized and photostabilized oxidation of poly(2,6-dimethyl- 1,4-phenylene oxide) with metal isopropylxanthates

This work describes the results of the Cd(II) isopropylxanthate-stabilized and Mn(III) isopropylxanthate-sensitized photo-oxidation of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) film in air at low temperatures (?10 to 80°). The oxidation was followed by light scattering, potassium ferri-oxalate actinometry and by measuring gel formation. The weight-average molecular weight, degree of degradation, rate of scission of links, energy of activation and quantum yield of the process depend on several factors, e.g. temperature, xanthate concentration. Various oxygen-containing groups (hydroperoxides, carbonyls, etc.) are formed in the polymer. For the determination of the content of these groups, iodometry and spectroscopy were applied. The initially present or photo-induced hydroperoxides are directly responsible for subsequent oxidative reactions which occur during 254-nm irradiation. The absorption spectra of the degraded materials in the u.v. and i.r. regions were also studied to substantiate a possible mechanism of the oxidation process.     

The Photolysis of Polyvinylpyrrolidone in Aqueous Solutions in the Presence of Oxygen and Cupric Ions

Abstract

The oxidative photolysis of polyvinylpyrrolidone with light of λ = 2537 Å has been studied over a range of oxygen pressures and polymer concentrations. The results show that chain scission and cross linking take place simultaneously. In the range where cross linking is a negligible component, a mechanism based on chain scission due to components which lead to chain scission without intervention of oxygen, and a component which leads to chain scission via hydroperoxide side groups, has been proposed. This mechanism accounts satisfactorily for all observed features of the reaction. The degree of degradation at any one time decreases with oxygen pressure. Cupric ions, with or without oxygen present, have very little influence on the degradation process. However, the UV spectra of PVP in the presence of cupric ions are different from those without them.     

Thermal degradation of polystyrene

Molecular weight change studies have shown that the thermal degradation of random copolymers of styrene — namely HIPS, SAN, and ABS-at low temperatures and in air involves random chain scission. The dominant process in the degradation of HIPS is random chain scission due to weak links, whereas in SAN it is intermolecular chain transfer. In ABS, the degradation is initially random scission due to weak links and then mainly intermolecular chain transfer. The infrared spectra show that during degradation the labile weak links are attacked by oxygen and peroxidic free radicals are produced. Via hydrogen abstraction or autoxidation of olefinic links, these free radicals are responsible for the formation of aliphatic ketonic or peroxyester structures, and for isomerization and cyclization. The activation energies of overall degradation of HIPS, SAN, and ABS are 134, 142, and 92 kJ.mol^–1 respectively.Part of the PhD dissertation of Mrs. Jaya Nambiar, University of Gorakhpur, Gorakhpur-273001, 1980.     

Mechanism of photo-oxidation of an elastomer

Ultraviolet irradiation in air of various elastomeric substances results in crosslinks, chain scissions and oxidation functions. The quantum yields of the different processes and the oxygen balance have been determined in the case of a model system. These results make it possible to propose a mechanism of photo-oxidation which agrees well with the experimental data. The rôle played by hydroperoxide functions has been recognised and demonstrated; their sensitised generation and decomposition have been explained in terms of energy transfer phenomena. Lastly, changes in the macromolecular chains and network formation have been followed. The results demonstrate quantitatively how light energy is absorbed by impurity in a polymer and is transferred to potential radical sites (hydroperoxides). Chain radical reactions develop in the material, leading predominantly to photocrosslinking simultaneously with a chain scission process which allows spatial reorganisation of the polymer medium.     

A comprehensive analysis of the properties of light crude oil in oxidation experimental studies

The analysis of light crude oil for oxidation reaction experiments is a kind of important technological for evaluating an air injection project in a reservoir. In this study, the paper comprehensively analyzes the variations of Jilin crude oil composition comparing crude oil component’s variations before and after oxidation, and investigates the effluent gas composition and hydrocarbon, analyzes the mechanism of low temperature oxidation reaction (LTO), and rebuilds the light crude oil cracking reaction of intermediate component in a new pattern. In the early stage of the oxidation reaction, firstly, oxygen is captured by forming chemical bond in liquid hydrocarbon. And then oxygen takes part in the free radical chain reaction by forming hyperoxide and decomposes to ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, and so on. Meanwhile, chain scission reaction comes up. Research result shows that the intermediate components (C_7–17) of crude oil make great contribution to crude oil cracking. The experimental result shows that Jilin reservoir has the potential of implementing air injection project.     

Profile of oxidation in irradiated polyethylene

Following gamma irradiation in air which causes bond scission and yields large concentrations of peroxy radicals, maximum oxidation and an increase in crystallinity occurs on the surface of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. Here, bimolecular reactions of peroxy radicals generate carbonyls, mostly ketones. On the polymer surface, peroxy radicals continue to react over time periods of years to generate carbonyls and chain scission. Peroxy radicals in the interior of the polymer abstract hydrogens and form hydroperoxides, inducing chain reactions and a slow but continue increase of ketone. Within the polymer sample, to a decreasing depth with increasing dose, a reduced concentration of oxygen is available to react with radiolytic radicals, so that more efficient crosslinking and a low level of hydroperoxide chain reaction occur. After long periods of time a surface maximum in carbonyl concentration is produced. Heating polyethylene in high pressures of oxygen accelerates the oxidative process. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 329–339, 1998     

Chain scission of butyl rubber by nitrogen dioxide. II. Photo-oxidation as function of nitrogen dioxide,oxygen pressure,and temperature

Studies of chain scission of butyl rubber (1.75% by weight of isoprene) have been extended. Experiments showing chain scission as function of various oxygen and nitrogen pressures, temperatures, and near-ultraviolet light intensity are presented. The experimental data agree with the mechanisms assumed in previous work or with elaborations of such mechanisms to include additional factors (ultraviolet radiation etc.). NO₂ retards chain scission in presence of near-ultraviolet light. Photo-oxidation in presence of relatively high and low nitrogen dioxide pressures, respectively, show experimental curves of opposite curvature; these data have also been evaluated in terms of méchanism. Arrhenius equations are presented for experiments related to the different reaction mechanisms.     

Gas phase oxidation of tetrahydrofuran

The slow gas-phase oxidation of tetrahydrofuran was studied under static conditions at 220°C. The relative amounts of each product, if extrapolated to zero reaction time, show which are the primary reaction products, and the reaction stoichiometry was thus established. Rate constants for hydroperoxides production and consumption were calculated; these hydroperoxides are responsible for chain branching. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide have been shown to be formed in the early stages of the reaction and not simply as end products of oxidative degradation processes. It has been found that at reaction times close to zero one tetrahydrofuran molecule may be attacked in one or several carbon atoms. 65.9% of tetrahydrofuran consumed in the first stages of the reaction forms succinic acid through a mechanism in which one molecule of fuel is attacked by two molecules of oxygen. More than 20% of the tetrahydrofuran molecules are attacked at least by three molecules of oxygen.     

Photo-oxidation of polymers—Part V: A new chain scission mechanism in polyolefins

The photo-oxidation of an ethylene-propylene copolymer has been studied at 310 and 365 nm. The results indicate that the Norrish type II reaction occurs but that another chain scission mechanism is also operative. This involves the reaction of free radicals produced by the photo-decomposition of hydroperoxide groups with neighbouring ketones.     

Controlled Chain‐Scission of Polybutadiene by the Schwartz Hydrozirconation

Controlled chain‐scission of polybutadiene (PB), polyisoprene, and poly(styrene‐co‐butadiene), induced by bis(cyclopentadienyl) zirconium hydrochloride (Cp₂ZrHCl), was revealed at room temperature. The chain‐scission reaction of linear PB was studied by means of GPC, NMR spectroscopy, and MALDI‐TOF‐MS. It was confirmed that the molecular weights of degraded products were quasi‐quantitatively controlled by Cp₂ZrHCl loading, irrespective of the starting PB, whereas the microstructure of PB chains was crucial to the scission reaction. The hydrozirconation of model molecules indicated that the existence of an internal double bond in compounds with multiple double bonds was essential for chain cleavage. The chain‐cleavage mechanism was proposed to involve hydrozirconation of internal double bonds in PB chains and β‐alkyl elimination. Furthermore, metallocene‐catalyzed chain‐scission by a chain‐transfer reaction was developed. It is believed that the reported chain scission offers a promising pathway for end‐group functionalization by chain cleavage and presents a new application of Schwartz’s reagent.     

Polymer morphology and random chain scission of nylon 66

Nylon 66 films with varying spherulite size but almost constant percentages of crystallinity were prepared (melt method). These films were degraded by NO₂ over a range of temperatures from 35 to 65°C. Random chain scission took place except in the initial stages at low temperatures at which some crosslinking occurred. Observation of the films with the extent of degradation under polarized light revealed that dark bands developed around and also inside spherulite boundaries that became wider with the extent of degradation. This indicates that amorphous material is formed during random chain scission; the spherulites remained practically intact, however. The experimental chain scission rate constants did not change essentially with spherulite diameter until small diameters were reached, at which time the rate constants increased noticeably. Degradation can be accounted for by chain scission in amorphous and interfacial regions; in the latter the rate constants increased with this area and in addition main chain links were weaker in fold regions, due to strain energy, than normal ones in amorphous regions. The energy of activation for chain scission was compatible with a predominantly diffusion-controlled process.     

Thermal degradation of copolymers of styrene and acrylonitrile. III. Chain-scission reaction

The chain-scission reaction which occurs in copolymers of styrene and acrylonitrile has been studied at temperatures of 262, 252, and 240°C. Under these conditions volatilization is negligible, and chain scission can be studied in virtual isolation. At 262°C three kinds of chain scission are discernible, namely, at weak links which are associated with styrene units, “normal” scission in styrene segments of the chain and scission associated with the acrylonitrile units. The rate constants for normal scission and scission associated with acrylonitrile units are in the ratio of approximately 1 to 30. The molecular weight of the copolymer has no effect on the rates of scission. At 252°C the same general behavior is observed for the copolymers containing up to 24.9% acrylonitrile. The 33.4% acrylonitrile copolymer is anomalous, however. At 240°C the trends observed at 262°C appear to break down completely although individual experiments are quite reproducible. This behavior at the lower temperatures is believed to be associated with the fact that the melting points of the various copolymers are in this temperature range. Thus the viscosity of the medium, which should be expected to have a strong influence on the chain scission reaction, will be changing rapidly with temperature, copolymer composition, and molecular weight in this temperature range.     

Vacuum and oxidative pyrolysis of poly-p-xylylene. II. Chromatographic analysis and kinetics of reaction products

Reaction products of vacuum and oxidative degradation of poly-p-xylylene have been quantitatively determined by chromatographic analysis as function of time, temperature and oxygen pressure. Respective Arrhenius parameters were also ascertained for some of the reaction products and for the sums of all products. The energies of activation for the sums agree quite satisfactorily with the energies of activation obtained previously by uninterrupted experiments in quartz-spoon reaction vessels. The results found here can be described in terms of mechanisms previously postulated on the basis of the total loss in weight (or volatile production) data. Scission of “weak” links (due to abnormal structures) takes place followed by formation of various products. The whole process is governed by the initial chain scission reaction; however, the energies of activation for each of the products do not need to be identical with that of the chain scission reaction. Each product is formed by a reaction which has its own characteristic number average kinetic chain lengths; the latter have their specific energy of activation values. Oxidative degradation produces the same organic compounds as vacuum degradation and in addition CO, CO₂, and H₂O. Oxidized intermediate compounds are apparently fairly rapidly decarboxylated and decarbonylated. Oxidative chain scission is appreciably faster than that in vacuum. Almost simultaneous “weak” link and “normal” chain scission are taking place initiating the formation of a number of products.     

Dimensions of branched polymers formed in simultaneous long‐chain branching and random scission

In free‐radical olefin polymerizations, the polymer‐transfer reactions could lead to chain scission as well as the formation of long‐chain branches. The Monte Carlo simulation for free‐radical polymerization that involves simultaneous long‐chain branching and random scission is used to investigate detailed branched structure. The relationship between the mean‐square radius of gyration 〈s²〉 and degree of polymerization P as well as that between the branching density and P is the same for both with and without random scission reactions—at least for smaller frequencies of scission reactions. The 〈s²〉 values were larger than those calculated from the Zimm–Stockmayer (Z‐S) equation in which random distribution of branch points is assumed, and therefore, the Z‐S equation may not be applied for low‐density polyethylenes. The elution curves of size exclusion chromatography were also simulated. The molecular weight distribution (MWD) calibrated relative to standard linear polymers is much narrower than the true MWD, and high molecular weight tails are clearly underestimated. A simplified method to estimate the true MWD from the calibrated MWD data is proposed. The MWD obtained with a light scattering photometer in which the absolute weight‐average molecular weight of polymers at each retention volume is determined directly is considered a reasonable estimate of the true MWD. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2960–2968, 2001     

The vacuum and oxidative pyrolysis of poly-p-xylylene

Poly-p-xylylene prepared by pyrolysis of di-p-xylylene has been degraded under vacuum and in the presence of oxygen as a function of temperature and oxygen pressure. The vacuum pyrolysis is mainly due to “abnormal” structures. Volatiles are initially produced quite slowly, but the reaction accelerates subsequently. Arrhenius equations were derived for various ranges of volatile formation. A mechanism has been formulated consisting of random chain scission followed by depropagation (dimers to pentamers); simulatanously another zip reaction produces hydrogen. The thermal, oxidative degradation has been studied above and below the softening point of the polymer as a function of oxygen pressure. A first-order reaction of volatile formation due to “abnormal” chain scission is followed by normal chain scission, which is also first order. The postulated mechanism leads initially to hydroperoxide formation. Arrhenius equations for volatile formation are different below and above the softening point. Oxygen consumption also follows a first-order reaction with an energy of activation of 31.5 kcal/mole.     

Photo- and radiation-induced degradation of vinyl polymers in solution. I. Oxidative degradation of poly(α-methylstyrene) initiated by photodecomposition of AIBN

The oxidative degradation of poly(α-methylstyrene) initiated by the photodecomposition of azobisisobutyronitrile was studied at 30°C in benzene solution. The progress of the reaction was followed by measuring the rate of chain scission of the polymer. It has been confirmed by GPC measurements that random scission of the polymer chain occurs in the present system. Chain scission did not occur in the absence of AIBN and oxygen. The rate was proportional to the initiation rate and independent of polymer concentration and oxygen pressure under these experimental conditions. Phenol was an effective inhibitor to this reaction. The mechanism of chain scission during oxidation is discussed, and a six-membered transition is proposed.     

A new antagonism between hindered amine light stabilizers and acidic compounds including phenolic antioxidant

Hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) are known to show antagonism with acidic compounds including phenolic antioxidants. In this study it was found that a hydroperoxide-decomposing reaction by HALS is accelerated in the presence of an acidic compound, and that the decomposition proceeds homolytically. Even weak acids such as a phenolic antioxidant induced the antagonism. On processing plastics at a high temperature, it is thus important to decompose hydroperoxides heterolytically as efficiently as possible. The data found in this study suggest that salts of HALS with an acid such as 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) may produce free radicals which accelerate the decomposition of plastics. The role of HALS nitroxides in the decomposition of hydroperoxides is also discussed.