A versatile and robust end-group derivatization approach using oximes has been developed for the detection of oxidative degradation of synthetic polyisoprenes and polybutadiene. This method demonstrates broad applicability, effectively monitoring degradation across a wide molecular weight range through ultraviolet (UV)-detection coupled to gel permeation chromatography. Importantly, it enables the effective monitoring of degradation via derivatization-induced UV-maximum shifts, even in the presence of an excess of undegraded polyene, overcoming limitations previously reported with refractive index detectors.
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