MASS-SPECTROMETRIC STUDIES OF THERMAL-NONOXIDATIVE DEGRADATION OF POLY(VINYL CHLORIDE)

Mass spectrometric studies of thermal-nonoxidative degradation of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) were carried out in the temperature range of 47 3-523 K. The population of various series of polyene linkages at diffe rent temperatures was studied. Concentration of polyene linkages with odd numbers of carbon atoms were found to be minimal as compared to po lyene linkages containing the adjacent even numbers of carbon atoms. T hese results are explained on the basis of strain on the valence angle and permissible ring formation and agree with those of Spanagel and C arother on depolymerization of polyesters.