THERMOLYSIS OF ALTERNATING ETHYLENE CARBON-MONOXIDE COPOLYMER

Alternating ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymer was thermolyzed by flas h pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry and the pyrolyzates i dentified. Main chain scission produces four to ten times more [GRAPHI CS] than [GRAPHICS] Intramolecular H-shifts produce the vinyl alkyl ke tone series; intermolecular H abstraction forms crosslinks; intramolec ular cyclization and dehydration leaves 20-30% carbonaceous residues. The alternating copolymer is stable up to 325-degrees-C; the activatio n energy for thermolysis increases with the extent of the degradation due to crosslinking and aromatization.