Thermal Dehydrochlorination of Poly(vinyl chloride) Model Compounds. I.

Abstract

The liquid phase (neat and solution) thermal degradation of a number of compounds which model the common defect groups found in pvc has been investigated. Compounds with halogen atoms at tertiary positions have stabilities similar to allylic halides. However, there was nearly a tenfold difference in the rate of reaction between the positionally isomeric 2-chloroalk-3-enes and 4-chloroalk-2-enes. Compounds with unsaturation within a longer chain or compounds lacking a terminal methyl group are somewhat less reactive. The dehydrochlorination reaction was confirmed to be accelerated by glass surfaces, hydrogen chloride and polar solvents.