Vinylamine polymer via chemical modification of PVC

Chemical modification of PVC using NaNO2 in THF/DMSO(1:1) or DMF/DMSO(1:1) solutions has been achieved without appreciable discolouration. Transformation yields as high as 73% have been attained at room temperature with long reaction times. The modified polymer is not explosive under the conditions studied and has a C=C unsaturation content of less than 10%. Interestingly, GPC analysis indicates that appreciable chain scission occurs and typically the molecular weight is reduced from 73700 to 12000 during chemical modification. Reduction of the resulting polymer with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of Pd(10%)-C catalyst gives a water-soluble vinylamine-derived polymer.