Nonoxidative Thermal Degradation Reactions

The main degradation reaction of nylon-6 is decarboxylation through interaction of a carboxyl end group and caprolactam or an amide in the polymer chain (see 

Cyclopentanone units are created, with a decrease in molecular weight, either from carboxyl end groups or by intrachain reaction. Losses of CO2 and NH3 lead to an imbalance of end groups, a nuisance for dyeing, and also to crosslinking. 

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