Theoretical Studies on the Gas-Phase Pyrolysis of Carbonate Esters, Hydroxy-Esters and -Ketones

Gas-phase pyrolyses of carbonate esters, ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-hydroxy esters and ${\beta}$-hydroxy ketones have been studied theoretically by the AM1 MO method. Carbonate esters were found to decompose by two types of processes; in the reaction pathway involving an intermediate, the decomposition of the intermediate was rate-limiting, but direct pyrolyses were also possible via a six-membered cyclic transition state in which the methoxy oxygen attacks a hydrogen atom on the ${\beta}$-carbon. The hydroxy esters and ketones were found to decompose in a concerted process involving a six-membered cyclic transition state. Successive methylation on the ${\alpha}$- and ${\gamma}$-carbon led to an increase in the reactivity in agreement with experiments.