Thermal dehydrochlorination of poly(vinyl chloride). I. Effect of iron oxide on the rate of dehydrochlorination

The thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was studied by following the rates of dehydrochlorination at temperatures between 180°C in pure nitrogen and air flow. Iron oxide accelerates the elimination of hydrogen chloride from PVC. The accelerating effect depends on the concentration of the oxide, and it has a maximum. This work tried to explain these behaviors. A mechanism of dehydrochlorination is suggested for polymer containing iron oxide.