Interconversion and decomposition of furanones
Abstract
The interconversion and decomposition of furan-2(3H)- and -2(5H)-one and their methylated derivatives were studied by following the changes in their photoelectron spectra during pyrolysis. Interconversion occurred at 300–400 °C and decomposition at around 600 °C giving CO and acrolein as the only products for the unsubstituted furanones. The experimental results suggest that decarbonylation takes place through the 2(3H) form as the common precursor.