On the Complex Ozone Interaction with Polyvinyl Alcohol Aqueous Solutions

It is shown that ozone reacts with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aqueous solution producing hydrotrioxide groups on the PVA chain. Such groups are relatively stable and can be detected in aqueous solution even after a week from their synthesis. Thermal treatment of the PVA ozonized solution at 70℃ leads to the slow decomposition of the hydrotrioxides with the consequent further PVA oxidation. In addition to the hydrotrioxides, the PVA ozonation produces β-diketones which, through a keto-enol tautomerism give rise to an absorption band at about 280 nm.