PHOTOGENERATED HYDROPEROXIDES OF EPDM RUBBERS AND THEIR CHARACTERIZATION

Three different ethylene/propylene/diene (EPDM) rubbers were allowed t o react with singlet oxygen. This reaction leads to the production of polymeric pendant hyproperoxides only in one case. Terpolymer ethylene /propylene/5-ethylidene-2-norborene reacts with singlet oxygen and iso lated and associated secondary hydroperoxides are formed. Anthracene w as used as a sensitizer for production of singlet oxygen under 365-nm irradiation. The course of hydroperoxide formation was similar in the solid state as well as in the toluene solution. Reactivity of hydroper oxides prepared was tested in their reaction with gaseous dimethyl sul fide (DMS). Both the isolated and associated hydroperoxides react with DMS by dual fast and slow process. Fast process is more significant i n the case of the isolated hydroperoxides. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.