Thermal degradation of polymers. V. Vacuum pyrolysis of poly(p‐N,N‐dimethylaminostyrene). The products volatile at pyrolysis temperature, liquid or gaseous at room temperature

Abstract

AbstractThe products obtained on degradation of poly(p‐N,N‐dimethylaminostyrene) in vacuo are described. The effects of molecular weight and pyrolysis temperature are discussed and the behavior compared with polystyrene under similar conditions. Product analysis has revealed significant differences between the products of degradation obtained from the two polymers, and mechanisms involving methyl‐group migration have been proposed and discussed to account for the anomalous behavior of poly(p‐N,N‐dimethyl‐aminostyrene). The liquid products of pyrolysis have been separated and identified by gas‐liquid chromatography using the Kovats retention index, and quantitative analysis is also described. Analysis of the gaseous fraction by mass spectrometry is described.