# Pyrolysis Reactions of (2-Chloroethyl)benzene

## TL;DR

This paper studies the pyrolysis of (2-chloroethyl)benzene, a product from PVC recycling, to identify its thermal decomposition products.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific pyrolysis products of (2-chloroethyl)benzene using advanced analytical techniques.

## Key findings

- Pyrolysis at 1400 K produces HCl, styrene, phenylacetylene, and other hydrocarbons.
- Matrix-isolation FTIR techniques confirmed the presence of acetylene and propyne.
- The study reveals the fate of chlorinated hydrocarbons during chemical recycling.

## Abstract

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.