The non-oxidative thermal degradation of poly(di-n-alkyl itaconates). I. Analysis of the thermolysis volatiles

The volatiles arising from the thermal degradation of poly(di-n-alkyl itaconates) with ester substituents ranging from methyl to n-octyl were analysed. The corresponding monomer was found to be the major degradation product. A significant amount of itaconic acid in the volatiles was also found in the case of poly(diethyl itaconate). A detailed mechanism of the thermal degradation of the studied polymers is given.