The Nature of Color Centers in Hydrolysed Polymethacrylonitrile

Abstract Using UV-spectroscopy, we have investigated the reactions proceeding in polymethacrylonitrile under alkali influence. It is shown that a deeply colored solution of the polymer becomes water soluble, therefore the cycles cannot be absorbing structures, as it is generally assumed. We have suggested that nitrile groups turn into carboxylates and acid groups under aqueous alkali influence. The coloration of the polymer solution is due to the formation of ionic pair multiplets. The features of their formation and destruction in various solvents are discussed.