Degradation of rubber, and antioxidant action, a possible roll for singlet oxygen

General remarks related to chemical changes taking place in rubber under influence of light and oxygen are followed by presentation of degradation mechanism theory as well as by explanation of the role of antioxidant in rubber vulcanizates. It is suggested that single oxygen is involved in some of these processes. It is possible that mechanisms involving singlet oxygen play only a minor role, if on the other hand, they are shown to be important, this may lead to a search for new and more effective antioxidants.