Specificity of atactic polypropylene oxidation in the melt

Abstract

When atactic polypropylene is oxidized at 130°C, 0·6 mole of hydroperoxide groups are formed from 1 mole of absorbed oxygen. Despite the apparent homogeneity of the polymer melt only a fraction of the monomeric units not exceeding 45% participiate in the oxidation reactions. The yield of free radicals formed by decomposition of hydroperoxide groups in atactic polypropylene depends on oxygen pressure. © 1990.