Effect of ozone on poly(vinyl chloride) degradation

Abstract The influence of ozone on the kinetics and mechanisms of poly(vinyl chloride) degradation has been studied. The rate constants for reaction of ozone with saturated and unsaturated units of macromolecules have been measured. The products of the reaction of ozone with double bonds are inactive and do not influence the subsequent thermal dehydrochlorination of the polymer. The products of reaction of ozone with saturated units greatly increase dehydrochlorination.