Mechanism of polyethylene oxidation

Abstract
Acetic and formic acids and acetone are products of the oxidation of propylene and ethylene polymers and copolymers. The two‐ and three‐carbon products can be accounted for as the result of intramolecular attack by radicals, leading to β‐oxidation. A high proportion of scissions in polypropylene involves multiple intramolecular attack.
Keywords