RADIATION-INDUCED CHANGES IN THE UNSATURATION OF POLYISOPRENE
Polyisoprene in the solid state and in benzene solution undergoes radiation-induced cis-trans isomerization and loss of unsaturation. Starting with various cis or trans polymers, the isomerization approaches an equilibrium in which the cis/trans ratio is around 50/50 for polyisoprenes irradiated in solution or in the solid state. The G(isom.) values for either cis → trans or trans → cis isomerization, i.e., the number of cis (or trans) units isomerized initially per 100 eV absorbed by both polymer and solvent, in 1% solution, and by polymer alone, in the solid state, are about 1.0 and 10, respectively. The energy transfer mechanism proposed previously for polybutadiene and squalene isomerization is assumed to hold for polyisoprene as well. The loss of unsaturation in films irradiated with electrons under nitrogen is twice as rapid as in films γ-irradiated in vacuo, the G(-d.b.) (d.b. = double bond) values being 13.4 and 6.7, respectively. Correspondingly, G(-d.b.) for a γ-irradiated solution is 27, calculated in terms of energy absorbed directly by the polymer; intermolecular energy transfer is again indicated, although phenylation may also contribute to the loss of double bonds in solution. The large drop in unsaturation in solution and in the solid state is attributed to a chain process involving cyclization and some cross-linking, with the participation of both free radicals and carbonium ions. Work with polyisoprene-3-d confirmed the importance of isomerization and loss of unsaturation and gave an activation energy of 1.1 kcal/mole for the latter reaction.