Preparation of modified poly(vinyl chloride) containing N,N‐di(β‐hydroxyethyl)dithiocarbamate and its reaction with metal ions

Reaction of N,N‐di(β‐hydroxyethyl)dithiocarbamate ion with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was undertaken, and the reaction with metal ions of the polymer obtained was investigated. The effect of γ‐irradiation on the reaction with metal ion was also studied. The modified PVC (PHDC) obtained from the reaction with N,N‐di(β‐hydroxyethyl)dithiocarbamate ion is pale yellow even after reaction at 100°C for 5 hr in dimethylformamide (DMF); it is soluble in dipolar solvents and its chlorine content is decreased considerably. This polymer reacted well with acetate salts of copper(II), nickel(II), zinc(II), and silver(I) heterogeneously in aqueous solution because of the introduction of hydrophilic groups (two hydroxy groups). The reactivity of the metal ions toward the polymer was of the order Ag(I) ≫ Cu(II) > Ni(II) > Zn(II). From the result of the reaction of γ‐irradiated polymer with cupric ion, the polymer was judged to have fairly good antiradiation property.