Effect of conjugated trienes on the oxidation of polyisoprenes

The effect of low concentrations of conjugated triene on the rate of oxidation of polyisoprenes has been investigated. At concentrations similar to those expected to occur in sulfur vulcanizates of NR, conjugated trienes exert a significant accelerative effect on both the uninhibited and the inhibited oxidations of squalene. This accelerative effect is also present, but to a lesser extent, in the inhibited oxidation of carbon–carbon cross-linked NR vulcanizates.