An ultraviolet spectrophotometric method for the characterisation of some phenolic stabilisers in extracts of polymer compositions

Abstract

A method for extending the usefulness of ultraviolet spectrophotometry in the characterisation of some stabilisers used in polymer compositions is described. As well as the spectra of the stabilisers in ethanol and alkaline ethanolic solutions, the ultraviolet absorptions of the solutions after reaction with nickel peroxide, and after making these solutions alkaline, are also presented. These four spectra together give a more positive identification of the antioxidant. As examples of the method, three sets of spectra are given for phenolic antioxidants, the normal ultraviolet absorptions of which are identical. These spectra show marked differences by which the compounds can now be identified.