| Abstract: | Two water - soluble polyethers, poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(methyl vinyl ether) were UV irradiated in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solutions. It has been shown that HO• and HO2• radicals accelerate oxidative degradation of these polymers. Hydroxy (HO•) and probably hydroperoxy (HO2•) radicals can abstract hydrogen from methylene groups in both polymers. As a result of further oxidative reactions, different carbonyl, hydroxy and hydroperoxy groups are formed. A mechanism for the formation of these groups has been proposed. |
