Alkaline dechlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) in organic solvents under mild conditions

A mild alkaline hydrolysis of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in an organic solvent was conducted with a satisfactory degree of dechlorination (DD). Under atmospheric pressure, a DD of 98–99% was accomplished in the hydrolysis with NaOH in dimethylsulfoxide at 80°C for 1–3h. The resulting hydrolysis product is poly(vinyl alcohol) with a very small chlorine content. Sodium chloride was the only by-product and no other harmful products such as dioxins were formed. Possible solvent recycling mainly depends on controlled use of water.