| Abstract: | 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. |
