Of the various oxidizing agents available. never have the tetrabutyl ammonium permanganate or the potassium psrmanganate been used for the oxidation of polyolefins in the molten state. The effects of time and temperature on the oxidation reaction were studied using an internal mixer. The reaction was performed in the presence of traces of hexadecyl alcohol as an accelerator. In certain cases, biphenyl was uscd as a conipatibilizing agent in the molten state. The oxidized polyethylene was purified by sol-ubilization in order to eliminate the MnOlformed from the reaction between KMnO4, tetrabutyl ammonium permanganate, and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The presence of MnO2was confirmed by chemical tests and by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA).