Conclusions
Global analysis provides a relatively simple and robust alternative to
single-wavelength decomposition as method for analyzing the drying
progress of air-drying coatings. By applying this technique to data
collected on linseed oil using several related driers, we were able to
identify and track the formation a cis-trans conjugated intermediate
during the drying process, which was previously predicted to form based
on studies of model complexes. Our observations of the formation and
consumption of this intermediate indicate identical rate constants for
these reactions, strongly suggesting the same fundamental reaction for
both steps. To the best of our knowledge, no mechanisms incorporating
this possibility have been previously proposed in the literature (Orlova
et al. 2021). Our hope is that application of global analysis to studies
of drying oils, both future and existing, will enable more insights into
the mechanism of this critical process.