Аннотация:The process of solid-state poly(ε-caprolactone) degradation under the action of iodine vapor has been studied. It has been found that the number-average molecular weight of the polymer decreases by almost an order of magnitude 48 h after the incorporation of iodine (~6 wt %) from a gaseous phase. A mechanism has been proposed for the polymer degradation through the cleavage of the С–О bonds in the polymer backbones via the formation of a charge-transfer complex and with the participation of water or polyiodide ions.