Abstract: | Pyrolysis, in combination with gas-chromatography technique, was used in the determination of the structure and study of the thermal degradation mechanism of the condensation polymers obtained by Friedel-Crafts reactions of poly(vinyl chloride) with benzene, toluene, and naphthalene. The separation of the pyrolysis products was made using a column packed with chromosorb W (80–100 mesh) coated with 15% silicone SE-52. The identification of the pyrolysis products resulted as a consequence of the thermal decomposition of condensation polymers and their semiquantitative estimation led to the final conclusion that the initial normal chlorine substitution in the macromolecular chain of poly(vinyl chloride) is followed by an important intramolecular cyclization reaction yielding 1,3-methyleneindan units. |