POLYMER COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING OXYGEN SCAVENGING COMPOUNDS

摘要

An oxygen scavenging composition of a carrier, such as a polymer, which is permeable to both oxygen and water or water vapor and an oxygen scavenging compound of an organic compound or salt thereof dispersed relatively uniformly throughout the polymer in an amount effective to act as an oxygen scavenger. The oxygen scavenging compound is activated for scavenging oxygen by contact with water or water vapor which permeates into or through the carrier. Also, a catalyzing agent is included in an amount sufficient to increase the rate of oxygen scavenging by the organic compound. The organic compound and catalyzing agent are preferably maintained in a dry state by freeze drying or microencapsulation until the organic compound is activated for oxygen scavenging by contact with water or water vapor.