Dehydrochlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) by aqueous sodium hydroxide solution under two-phase conditions

The reaction of poly(vinyl chloride) powder with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution in the presence of quaternary ammonium or phosphonium halides yielded dehydrochlorinated products of conjugated polyene structure. The reaction was discussed in terms of a phase transfer catalytic mechanism between aqueous and polymer phases. Among the catalysts used tetrabutylammonium bromide was the best. To obtain the optimum conditions the effects of reaction temperature, the concentration of NaOH and the catalyst, and the molecular weight of poly(vinyl chloride) were investigated. Treatment of PVC films and solutions in tetrahydrofuran with aqueous NaOH solutions under two-phase conditions also produced dehydrochlorinated films and powders.