Gas-phase pyrolysis of 2,2,3,3-tetramethylbutane using a wall-less reactor

The pyrolysis of 2,2,3,3-tetramethylbutane (TMB) has been studied using the wall-less reactor. Under homogeneous conditions up to 670°C, the activation energy is 43.2 kcal/mol and log A is 10.70. The products are 2-methylpropene, hydrogen, propene, 2-methyl-2-butene, ethane, ethene, methane, neopentane, and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene in order of abundance. Addition of toluene, cyclopentadiene, or nitrous oxide to the system increases both the activation energy and the A factor; whereas oxygen decreases both the activation energy and the A factor. Incorporation of stainless-steel rods to provide surface has only a modest effect upon the rate. In view of this evidence, it appears that the homogeneous pyrolysis of TMB at higher pressures is a chain reaction under the described conditions.