Laser-photosensitized homogeneous decomposition of 3,5-dimethyl- 1,2,4-trioxolane: the evidence for intermediacy of products of rearrangement

Abstract

IR laser photosensitized (SF₆) decomposition of 3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-trioxolane (DMTO) in the gas phase yields acetic acid, acetaldehyde, 1-hydroxyethyl acetate, 1-methoxyethyl formate and high molecular mass solid products. The formation of esters provides evidence for the 1, 4-H and 1,4-Me shift taking place after the initial O–O bond split in DMTO, confirming a previously postulated intermediate for the decomposition of secondary ozonides. The products reveal that the homogeneous decomposition of DMTO is more complex than previously postulated for the decomposition in the liquid- and gas-phase.