Polyacetylene with anthraquinone system
A process for reducing polyacetylene oxidation and embrittlement comprises treating the polyacetylene with a solution of (a) a combination of anthraquinone or an anthraquinone salt, a base and a reducing agent; or (b) pyrogallol; or (c) a hydrosulfiprocess for isomerizing cis-polyacetylene at least partly to trans-polyacetylene comprises treating substantially cis-polyacetylene with a solution of a material which is either (a) a combination of anthraquinone or an anthraquinone salt, a base and a reducing agent; (b) pyrogallol; or (c) a hydrosulfite; and mixtures thereof and wherein the solution is at a temperature of from the freezing point to the boiling point of the solution during the treatment of the cis-polyacetylene and thereafter removing the polyacetylene which has been enriched in the trans form from contact with the solution.