Studies on the photooxidation mechanism of polymers. V. Oxidation of polybutadienes by singlet oxygen from microwave discharge and in dye‐photosensitized reactions

The singlet oxygen oxidation of cis ‐ and trans ‐ 1,4‐polybutadienes was studied by using singlet oxygen generated in a microwave generator and in dye‐photosensitized reactions of these polymers in the solid state and in solution. It was shown that the reactions of singlet oxygen result in formation of hydroperoxide groups, whereas ultraviolet oxidation by molecular oxygen in addition leads to formation of carbonyl groups. During dye‐photosensitized oxidation of polydienes in benzene solution, a very rapid decrease in the molecular weight was observed.