The high-temperature pyrolysis of chlorinated hydrocarbons is reviewed with
a primary focus on the authors' research on the gas-phase molecular growth
chemistry and elementary reaction mechanisms leading to the formation of c
hlorinated benzenes and chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The a
uthors' recent heterogeneous mechanistic studies of the chlorination and co
ndensation of acetylene at lower temperatures are also summarized. A pathwa
y diagram suggesting a link between these heterogeneous reactions and the f
ormation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans under post-combust
ion conditions is presented and discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. A
ll rights reserved.