The thermal decomposition of n-butyl vinyl ether. Part I. The inhibited reaction

Abstract

The thermal decomposition of n-butyl vinyl ether in the presence of cyclohexene has been studied in the temperature range 317·0–377·0° in a seasoned Pyrex vessel in a static system. The reaction was homogeneous and unimolecular for 50% of the decomposition. The Arrhenius equation obtained by the method of least squares in the initial pressure range of 8·04–34·55 cm. Hg is k(sec.^–1)=(1·42 ± 0·01)× 10¹¹ exp[–(42,383 ± 41)/RT]. The products of decomposition, as obtained from gas chromatography, consisted mainly of acetaldehyde and but-1-ene. The effects of acetaldehyde and hydrogen bromide were also investigated qualitatively.