| Abstract: | Atactic polypropylene was oxidized in solution with radical initiator in the absence and presence of metal catalyst to considerably high conversion over the temperature range of 70° to 125°C, and oxidation products and the change in molecular weight distribution were measured. The unoxidized polypropylene had no ultraviolet absorption at 253.7 nm, whereas the oxidized polypropylene showed distinct absorption over a wide range of molecular weights. It was found that oxygen was incorporated into the polymer chain as hydroperoxide, acid, carbonyl, and hydroxy groups. Much of the absorbed oxygen was found to be involved in smaller fraction of low molecular weight products. Although the average molecular weight of the oxidized polypropylene decreased significantly, the formation of low-boiling products was quite small. |
