The thermal unimolecular decomposition of 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutanone

Abstract

The thermal decomposition of 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutanone has been studied in the gas phase between 364 and 427°C. In this temperature range the reaction is kinetically first order and the major reaction pathway yields dimethylketen and isobutene. A minor pathway which represents ca. 6% of the overall reaction yields 1,1,2,2-tetramethylcyclopropane and carbon monoxide. Both decompositions are probably unimolecular and concerted. Arrhenius parameters for the reactions are reported and the results compared with those for other cyclobutanone decompositions.