Iodination of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) in aqueous media via phase transfer catalysis

Abstract

Nucleophilic substitution of chlorine on plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was carried out using potassium iodide (KI) in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) in aqueous media. Iodination was confirmed using energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). The extent of iodination was studied with respect to time, temperature, concentration of the reactants, as well as different PTCs. Among the different PTCs examined, tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) and tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate (TBAH) were found to be highly efficient for the reaction. About 25% increase in weight was observed for PVC sheets iodinated under optimal reaction conditions. The thermal stability of the modified PVC was found to be impaired upon iodination. The iodinated PVC released iodide ions when kept in distilled water, as evidenced by UV spectroscopy. Sustained release of iodide ion in distilled water was followed up for about 30 days.