Epoxidation of liquid natural rubber using peracetic acid formed in situ

Liquid natural rubber has been epoxidised using peracetic acid generated in situ to form epoxidised liquid natural rubber, In order to optimize the process, kinetic studies have been carried out and the effect of various reaction parameters on the extent of epoxidation has been studied, The first order rate constant showed a two fold increase for every 10 degrees C rise in temperature, The activation energy and the entropy of activation were established, It was also found that an increase in the hydrogen peroxide concentration favours the epoxidation where as no appreciable variation in the rate constant was observed with the acid concentration, However, epoxy groups undergo ring cleavage yielding side products at higher acid concentration and temperatures.