Pyrolysis and molecular growth of chlorinated hydrocarbons

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.