Structure and pyrolysis of poly(methyl methacrylate peroxide): a thermochemical approach

The structure of poly(methyl methacrylate peroxide) (PMMAP) has been confirmed by using IR and NMR. The degradation of PMMAP has been studied by using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and pyrolysis gas chromatography. The degradation products were identified as methyl pyruvate and formaldehyde, accounting for more than 95% of the total degradation products. The measured heat of degradation of PMMAP was found to be -44 * 2 kcal mol-'. The mechanism of the primary exothermic degradation leading to the above products has been substantiated by thermochemical calculations