Poly(vinyl chloride) Dechlorination Catalyzed by Zirconium.

Poly(vinyl chloride) undergoes dechlorination in the presence of triethylsilane (Et 3 SiH) and a catalytic amount of [Cp 2 Zr(NPh 2 )][CH 3 B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 ] (1 b) at 40-80 °C, with up to 91 % efficiency. Stoichiometric reactivity studies conducted on cyclohexyl chloride as a model suggest that 1 b dechlorinates PVC by initial chloride abstraction, followed by hydride transfer to the cationic PVC chain from Et 3 SiH. Consumer items such as pipe fitting, vinyl disc or electric cable insulation undergo either dechlorination or hydrosilylation of the carbonyl-containing copolymer (polyvinyl acetate) or plasticizer (phthalate).