The scission step in hevea oxidation

Abstract

Abstract Three recent attempts to formulate a reaction mechanism for scission during the oxidation of rubber have been evaluated with respect to their predictions concerning the formation of formic acid and the step at which scission occurs. Two do not account directly for formic acid as a principal product or for the failure of antioxidants to influence scission yield. The third, while consistent with available evidence, does not predict the observed product distribution as a necessary consequence of decomposition of the postulated intermediate.