The pyrolysis of polyvinylchloride (PVC) was studied in a quartz reactor with and without the addition of metal chlorides as catalysts. The results indicated that the addition of metal chlorides such us ZnCl2 or BaCl2 decreased the temperature of dehydrochlorination of PVC. The introduction of H-2 in pyrolysis enhanced the degradation of PVC at 400 degrees C: or higher and decreased the amount of solid residue, Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy analysis indicated that Zn and Pa chlorides reduced the formation of high molecular weight products.