p-Benzoquinone-tin polycondensates as stabilisers for polybutadiene rubber against photo-degradation

p-Benzoquinone-tin derivatives, obtained by polycondensation of the quinone and SnCl₄ in the absence of solvent, have been investigated as uv stabilisers for polybutadiene rubber. Intrinsic viscosity measurements have shown the greater efficiency of these products relative to phenyl salicylate which is commonly used in industry. The stabilising efficiency increases as the tin content of the stabiliser increases. A mechanism based on the involvement of both the quinone part of the stabiliser and the SnSn bonds in scavenging the radical species formed, as well as blocking the radical sites on the polymeric chains, has been developed. Moreover, it has been shown that prior oxidation of the stabilisers of higher tin content can afford complete protection of rubber from degradation by uv irradiation.