Thermal unimolecular decomposition of cyclobutanemethanol

Abstract

The thermal decomposition of cyclobutanemethanol has been studied in the gas phase in the temperature range 692–735 K and pressures from 1–16 Torr and found to yield ethene and allyl alcohol according to the following equation: [graphic omitted]. The process is first order, homogeneous, unaffected by addition of propene and probably unimolecular.

The Arrhenius parameters are given in the rate equation log k/s^–1=(15.18 ± 0.52)–(256.2 ± 6.5) kJ mol^–1/2.303 RT. The results are compared with those for other cyclobutanes and the mechanism is considered likely to involve a biradical transition state.