Interaction of a phenolic antioxidant dissolved in polycarbonate with molecular oxygen

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 47; no. 2; pp. 257 - 260
• Main Authors: Tyuleneva, N.K., Shlyapnikov, Yu.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 1995
• ISSN: 0141-3910; 1873-2321
• DOI: 10.1016/0141-3910(94)00106-I

The reaction of the antioxidant 2,2′-methylene-bis(4-methyl-6-tertbutylphenol), dissolved in polycarbonate, with O 2 has been studied at 200 °C and oxygen pressure 300 mm Hg. The reaction follows first-order kinetics related to antioxidant concentration; its rate is directly proportional to oxygen pressure. The apparent rate constant is 1.1 × 10 −4 s −1, or 3.7 × 10 −7 s −1 mm Hg −1. The process is complicated with oxidation of the intermediate product, presumably monophenol X. The rate constant of its oxidation is about 1.6 × 10 −4 s −1 or 5.5 × 10 −7 s −1 mm Hg −1. Peroxides were found among the volatile oxidation products.