Organochalcogen stabilizers efficiently protect model polyolefins exposed to chlorinated media

Thermogravimetric analyses of antioxidants indicated insignificant decomposition below 200 °C and increasing stability for the lighter chalcogen compounds (telluride < selenide < sulfide). Among organotelluriums, stability increases with increasing electron density at the heteroatom. Oxidation potentials of stabilizers as determined by cyclic voltammetry correlated fairly well with their protective effect in squalane (OIT-values). We therefore hypothesize that these compounds act primarily as electron donors towards peroxyl radicals. As determined by 125Te NMR-spectroscopy, organotellurium compound 1 in the presence of an excess of chlorine dioxide failed to produce an oxidation product. This may be the clue to its long-lasting protective effect in the squalane-assay.