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The insolubilization of polyvinyl alcohol by potassium dichromate on exposure to light has been investigated. Ultraviolet spectrometry shows that secondary hydroxyl groups are oxidized to ketone groups but insolubilization is attributed to crosslinking of polymer chains by co‐ordination of alcohol groups to “nascent” chromic ions formed by reduction of the dichromate. Exposure to air saturated with water vapor eliminates the carbonyl absorption maxima from the ultraviolet spectrum of polyvinyl alcohol film but the spectrum can be restored by heating: this phenomenon is independent of the crosslinking reaction.
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Duncalf et al. (1964) studied this question.
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