Oxygen Scavenging and Oxygen Barrier Poly(1,2-butadiene) Films Containing an Iron-Complex Catalyst

Tough films of poly(1,2-butadiene) are prepared by introducing small amounts of the less toxic iron complex N,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine-benzylimidazole and methyl linoleate. The catalytic activity of the iron complex for air oxidation of unsaturated groups is substantially higher than those of previously reported films. The oxygen scavenging capacity of the films is up to 200 mL (oxygen gas at STP) g(film)⁻¹ after 1 month, based on oxidative consumption of the poly(1,2-butadiene) double bonds, which is more than twice that of a previously reported poly(1,4-butadiene) film containing a cobalt complex catalyst and a film containing reduced iron powder. The oxygen absorption and scavenging of the films is independent of humidity and is maintained over 1 month. The results suggest that the combination of poly(1,2-butadiene) and the iron complex catalyst is a promising oxygen scavenging material for active oxygen barrier films.