Preparation and application of low molecular weight poly(vinyl chloride). I. Preparation and thermal stability

Poly(vinyl chloride) with relatively low molecular weight (LMW‐PVC) was prepared by suspension polymerization in the presence of some chain‐transfer agents, such as mercapto compounds. It is elucidated by means of thermogravimetry, dehydrochlorination, color difference, and discoloration that the resultant LMW‐PVC has good thermal stability. The degree of dehydrochlorination of the LMW‐PVC obtained by using n‐dodecylmercaptan increases with increasing the content of component from the chain‐transfer agent. It is found that the LMW‐PVC obtained by using mercapto compounds shows better thermal stability (discoloration property) than does the one obtained without using these agents, at the same weight‐average polymerization degree. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.