Welcome to the new version of CaltechAUTHORS. Login is currently restricted to library staff. If you notice any issues, please email coda@library.caltech.edu
Published November 1992 | public
Journal Article

Pyrolysis of styrene: kinetics and mechanism of the equilibrium styrene ↔ benzene + acetylene

Abstract

The thermal unimolecular decomposition of styrene into benzene and acetylene, C_6H_CH=CH2 → C_6H_6 + HCCH (l), was investigated in a low pressure (≈10 mTorr) flow reactor by on-line mass spectrometry between 1180 and 1350 K. Measured rates can be calculated, via RRKM extrapolation, from the expression log (k_(1∞), s^(-1)) = 14.38 - 17 076/T, which was derived by detailed balance from high-pressure (≈50 Torr) low-temperature (878-973 K) kinetic data for the reverse reaction. This value of E(1∞) = 77.9 kcal/mol allows for the generation of vinylidene, H_2C=C, the carbene isomer of acetylene, as a primary product of the title reaction. A non-radical process involving the rate-determining extrusion of H_2C=C: from a [4.1.0]-7-methylene cyclohepta-2,4-diene intermediate in equilibrium with styrene is consistent with kinetic and thermochemical considerations.

Additional Information

© 1992 American Chemical Society. (Received: June 16, 1992; In Final Form: August 3, 1992) This work was financially supported by CONICET of Argentina. Mr. O. Lopez carried out some of the pyrolytic experiments.

Additional details

Created:
August 20, 2023
Modified:
October 23, 2023