Thermal decomposition of 3-oxetanone was studied through pyrolysis in a hyperthermal nozzle with argon carrier gas followed by matrix-isolation Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy.  The intent was to detect and identify competing reaction pathways in the thermal decomposition mechanism.   A published study using photolysis of 3-oxetanone observed two products, which were formaldehyde and ketene, however additional pathways could be possible in gas-phase pyrolysis. Due to the 3-oxetanone's four-membered ring structure, significant ring strain should cause the molecule to dissociate at relatively low temperatures.  Pyrolysis temperatures were varied from 600 �C to 1200 �C in order to determine the onset of dissociation.  Also, a study of multiple 3-oxetanone to argon concentrations was performed in order to distinguish unimolecular and bimolecular reactions.  A more dilute concentration diminishes the chance of bimolecular reactions and supports the assignment of channels that are unimolecular, but also diminishes the quality of the FTIR signal.  Several pyrolysis products were identified in the FTIR spectra following pyrolysis of 3-oxetanone and include ketene and formaldehyde.

Thermal decomposition of 3-oxetanone

246th National Meeting (2013)

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