Phase transfer catalysis in dehydrofluorination of poly(vinylidene fluoride) by aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions

Abstract The reaction of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) powder with aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions in the presence of quaternary ammonium or phosphonium halides as phase transfer catalysts afforded dehydrofluorinated polymers. The structure of the products was investigated by infrared spetroscopy, and a fluorine‐substituted conjugated polyene structure was suggested which was found to be stable against air oxidation. Tetrabutylammonium bromide and tetrabutylphosphonium bromide were the most active among the catalysts used. The effects of the reaction conditions on the conversion are described. The treatment of PVDF films under phase transfer conditions increased the wettability of the surface and electric conductivity. The reaction of PVDF with potassium hydroxide in 2‐propanol proceeded not only by elimination but also by substitution of hydroxide ions.