THE OXIDATION OF POLYMETHYL ACRYLATE AND ITS MODEL-COMPOUND BY MOLECULAR-OXYGEN IN DARK

The oxidation of polymethyl acrylate(PMA) and its model compound methy l 2-methylbutyrate with molecular oxygen in dark have been studied, Th e experimental results showed that the two esters could form a contact charge transfer complex(CCT) with O-2 respectively, When O-2 was bubb led to solution of ester and kept for several hours and then N-2 was b ubbled to the solution again, the UV absorption of the CCT could not c ompletely disappear and a remaining peak was formed, and the strength of the remaining peak increased with the increasing of time, It indica ted that the new compound was produced, and CCT played an important ro le in the oxidation of the two esters with O-2. Furthermore from IR an d NMR spectra it was found that the hydroperoxide was formed at the al pha-C of methyl 2-methylbutyrate. As well as the unsaturated methyl 2- methylbutenate which was produced in the further oxidation of methyl 2 -methylbutyrate with O-2.