Infrared studies of popcorn polymerization. I. Oxidation of butadiene popcorn polymer

✍ Scribed by Miller, Glenn H. ;Larson, Virginia R. ;Pritchard, Glyn O.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1962
• Weight: 378 KB
• Volume: 61
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-3832
• DOI: 10.1002/pol.1962.1206117215

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

An infrared analysis of butadiene popcorn polymer showed the structure to be highly unsaturated with all of the groupings around the double bonds in the trans‐position. The oxidation of the polymer produces aldehydes and ketones, but due to the nature of the infrared‐pelleting technique which had to be used, it was not possible to resolve the broad spectral peaks for the positive identification of other structures. There was no apparent loss of unsaturation during the oxidation process. The loss in popcorn polymer growth activity shown when it is reseeded above fresh butadiene monomer is attributed to the loss of the hydrogen atoms that could participate in a transfer reaction. The latter is undoubtedly responsible for much of the rapid growth phenomena exhibited by this type of polymer.