Synthesis of zinc Schiff base complex and its application as highly efficient thermal stabilizer for flexible poly (vinyl chloride)

•Using natural aldehydes as raw material, a zinc Schiff base thermal stabilizer is synthesized by an environmentally friendly synthesis method, and the reaction conditions are mild.•The paper also tests the mechanical properties of PVC after the addition of thermal stabilizer. The thermal stabilizer makes PVC have better toughness and elasticity, and has a certain plasticity.•Schiff base thermal stabilizer has a good effect on the thermal stability of PVC.•The mechanism of replacing unstable allyl chloride atoms with thermal stabilizer is accurately analyzed by quantum chemical calculation.