Modern views on the chemistry of vulcanization changes. II. Role of hydrogen sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide has often been thought to play an important role in the sulfur vulcanization of natural rubber. A study has therefore been made of the reaction of hydrogen sulfide with olefins, including polyisoprenes, with special reference to the capacity of the reagent to react with olefins in the presence of free sulfur. Comparison of the products so obtained with those derived (a) by light‐catalyzed reaction of hydrogen sulfide and (b) by reaction of free sulfur with polyisoprenes has greatly assisted the understanding of the course of sulfur reaction in vulcanization processes.