| Abstract: | The presence of polyene and peroxide structures in PVC and their contribution to the rate of thermal decomposition were determined using a large number of commercial suspension PVC samples. Two types of PVC having conjugated -C=C-bonds with different reactivity towards dienophiles were found. Polymer samples of the first type react with chlorine, organic phosphites and maleic anhydride under mild conditions whereas the second type PVC under the same conditions reacts only with chlorine. The obtained data show that polyene structures in these two types of PVC are of cis and trans configuration, respectively. It was also demonstrated that the contribution of diene and peroxy groups to the rate of PVC thermal decomposition is greater than the contribution of any other anomalous structures. |
