Depolymerized natural rubber and process for preparation thereof

摘要

A depolymerized natural rubber is disclosed, which is a liquid rubber having a number-average molecular weight of from 2,000 to 50,000 obtained by the depolymerization of a deproteinized natural rubber. A process for the preparation of a depolymerized natural rubber is also disclosed, which comprises dissolving a deproteinized natural rubber into an organic solvent so as to give a concentration of from 1 to 30 % by weight and then carrying out air oxidation of the resulting solution in the presence of a metallic catalyst. The depolymerized natural rubber can provide the same physical properties as ordinary vulcanized rubbers, exhibits no odor or color characteristic to natural rubbers and causes no immediate allergy induced by protein.