THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF POLY(2-METHYLPHENYLENE OXIDE), POLY(2,5-DIMETHYLPHENYLENE OXIDE) AND POLY(1,4-PHENYLENE OXIDE)

Polyoxyphenylenes were obtained from phenol, 2-methylphenol, 2,5-dimethyl-phenol in oxidative polycondensations using dimethylpyridineCuCl complexes as catalysts. Samples of polymers from polycondensations were not completely linear as found by i.r. analysis. The m.s. and c.c.-m.s. analysis of degradation products of poly(2-methylphenylene oxide) (PMPO) and poly(2,5-dimethylphenylene oxide) (P2, 5DMPO) have shown that both polymers undergo Fries-type rearrangement prior to statistical scission of benzyl bonds. Ether linkages of poly(1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) decompose without rearrangement though cyclization to benzofurane systems has been observed. © 1979.