Modification of polyethylene surfaces with carbethoxy substituted carbenes and nitrenes

Carbethoxycarbene, carbethoxynitrene, and nitrene generated respectively by the pyrolysis of ethyl diazoacetate, ethyl azidoformate, chloramine and sodium hydroxyl amine‐o‐sulfonate are shown to irreversibly modify the surface of polyethylene as shown by wettability measurements. The nature of the modification is not fully understood; however, insertion of the carbene or nitrene into a carbon‐hydrogen bond appears likely. The modified surfaces thus formed are shown to undergo several classical organic reactions as again determined by wettability measurements.