Study of the poly(1,4-phenylene sulfide)-sulfuryl chloride interaction

Interaction of poly(l,4-phenylene sulfide) with sulfuryl chloride was studied under various conditions. In the absence of solvent, C-halogenation takes place and chlorinated poly(phenylene sulfides) are formed; under the Friedel-Crafts reaction conditions, a perchlorinated poly(phenylene sulfide) is formed. If a mixture of sulfuryl chloride, sulfur monochloride, and aluminum chloride (the BMS reagent) is used, a polymer degradation process takes place besides the polymer chlorination. If strictly sulfuryl chloride is used, the reaction yields poly(2,5-dichlorophenylene sulfide). If the process is carried out in an inert solvent, S-halo-genation takes place yielding poly(phenylene sulfoxide).