Thermal degradation of partly complexed poly(vinylpyridines) with transition metal chloride

Abstract The thermal degradation of poly(vinylpyridines), partly complexed with transition metal chlorides containing Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions, was investigated using thermogravimetry, infrared spectrometry and gc/mass spectrometry. When poly(2-vinylpyridine) and poly(4-vinylpyridine) were partly complexed with transition metal ions, thermal degradation was initiated at low temperature. The complexes were decomposed even near the threshold temperature for weight loss. Degradations were modified by the complexation, particularly for poly(2-vinylpyridine). Yields of dimers, ethylpyridine, etc., increased linearly with degree of complexation, but that of monomer decreased linearly. The increase of the yield of dimer could be explained from the concept that polymer radicals reacted with metal chlorides, then dehydrochlorinated and underwent β-scission.