Thermal degradation of poly(acryloyl chloride) and copolymers of acryloyl chloride with methyl acrylate

The products of thermal degradation of poly(acryloyl chloride) (PAC) homopolymer and copolymers of acryloyl chloride with methyl acrylate (AC-MA), covering the entire composition range, have been analysed quantitatively using thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy and gas-liquid chromatography. The major products of degradation of PAC homopolymer are HCl, CO and chain fragments. Methyl chloride, CO2, CO, methanol and chain fragments are the principal products of degradation of AC-MA copolymers. Possible mechanisms for the formation of these products are described and discussed.