| abstract |
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 may be an ascorbate compound or a polycarboxylic or salicylic acid chelate or complex of a transition metal or a salt thereof. The oxygen scavenging composition is activated for scavenging oxygen by contact with water or water vapor which permeates into or through the carrier. A catalyzing agent is included in an amount sufficient to increase the rate of oxygen scavenging by the ascorbate compound, while a reducing agent may be added to enhance the performance of the polycarboxylic or salicylic acid chelate or complex. The oxygen scavenging compound may be added to the composition in a dry state, and is inactive until activated for oxygen scavenging by contact with water or water vapor. |