Vapor-Phase Cracking of 4‑Vinylguaiacol in a Laminar-Flow Reactor: Kinetics and Effect of Temperature on Product Composition

The vapor-phase cracking of 4-vinylguaiacol has been investigated in a nonisothermal, laminar-flow reactor at temperatures between 300 and 900 °C and a residence time of one second. Products identified by gas chromatography were oxygenated compounds such as phenols, cresols, furans, ketones, and aldehydes, single-ring and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, C1–C6 hydrocarbon gases, and carbon monoxide. Temperature had a marked effect in governing the overall product composition. Conversion of 4-vinylguaiacol to products increased above 400 °C and was completed at 550 °C. Reaction rate parameters derived from the conversion data were A = 1013 s–1 and E a = 45.3 kcal mol–1. The oxygenated compounds were observed as products in the range 450–800 °C, peaking in yields below 700 °C. The aromatic hydrocarbons and light gases dominated the product composition above 600 °C, especially at 900 °C, the highest temperature investigated. On the basis of the experimental data showing the effect of temperature on product composition, reaction pathways leading to products formation are proposed.