Degradation of polyvinylidene chloride in solution

Abstract

The rate of degradation of polyvinylidene chloride has been measured by n.m.r. techniques in two solvents at five temperatures. The enthalpy of activation is independent of the solvent and equal to that observed for degradation in the solid state. It is postulated that differences in the rate are solely determined by stereochemical considerations. Chemical shifts with respect to dichloroethane are reported for hexamethylphosphoramide and tetramethylene sulphoxide.