Pyrolysis Reactions of (2-Chloroethyl)benzene

Pyrolysis of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is considered an alternative to traditional, mechanical methods of recycling. However, there is insufficient research conducted on the thermal decomposition pathways of PVC, particularly the fate of chlorinated hydrocarbons generated during the chemical recycling process. One significant product from the pyrolysis of PVC is (2-chloroethyl)benzene. Using a hyperthermal tubular reactor and matrix-isolation FTIR techniques, the pyrolysis products of gas-phase (2-chloroethyl)benzene were identified. Following pyrolysis at 1400 K, the FTIR spectra indicated the formation of HCl, styrene, phenylacetylene, benzene, vinylacetylene, acetylene, propyne, ethylene, and propargyl radical.