Degradation of Polyvinyl Chloride by Sequential Dehydrochlorination and Olefin Metathesis.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a problematic waste plastic with limited options for recycling or upcycling. Herein, we demonstrate preliminary results in breaking down the long carbon chains of PVC into oligomers and small organic molecules. First, treatment with a substoichiometric amount of alkali base effects elimination of HCl to form a salt and creates regions of conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds, as determined by H NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy.