Syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene with Co-CS2 catalyst system. II. Catalysts for stereospecific polymerization of butadiene to syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene

Butadiene is polymerized by cobalt compound–organoaluminum–CS₂ catalysts to give highly crystalline syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene (s-PB) having melting point up to 216°C. An aluminum-free catalyst, Co(C₄H₆)(C₈H₁₃)-CS₂, is also effective. Syndiotactic polymerization with Co(C₄H₆)(C₈H₁₃)-CS₂ is not interrupted by the addition of protic substances such as water and alcohol, but is influenced by donor or acceptor substances. The donor molecule, e.g., dimethylsulfoxide or dimethylformamide, decreases the stereoregularity, i.e., syndiotacticity and 1,2 content. An acceptor molecule of organoaluminum with appropriate acidity such as AlEt₃-AlEt₂Cl or tetraethylaluminoxane increases the molecular weight, stereoregularity, and yield of the polymer. In the presence of CS₂ a mixture of cis-PB and s-PB was obtained by using Co(octoate)₂-AlEt₂Cl-H₂O, with molar ratio H₂O/Co less than unity. In the case of H₂O/Co > 1, only cis-PB was obtained. By the addition of donor substances such as ester, ether, nitrile, and AlEt₃, s-PB was obtained even when H₂O/Co > 1. The amount and ratio of cis-PB and s-PB are dependent upon the nature and amount of the additives.     

Syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene with Co-CS2 catalyst system. I. Preparation,properties, and application of highly crystalline syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene

Highly crystalline syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene (s-PB) having melting point (mp) up to 216°C was obtained by using a Co(acac)₃-AIEt₃-CS₂ catalyst. The polymer with mp 208°C was found to have 99.7% 1,2 content and 99.6% syndiotacticity by ¹H and ¹³C-NMR measurements. The s-PB can be molded by addition of a stabilizer such as 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxymethylphenol into fiber, film, and various shaped articles. The physical properties presented in the present article include stress-strain and dynamic mechanical behavior. The highly crystalline syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene was applied to a carbon fiber and UBEPOL VCR (cis-1,4-polybutadiene reinforced by fibrous syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene).     

Syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene with Co-CS2 catalyst system. IV. Mechanism of syndiotactic polymerization of butadiene with cobalt compounds–organoaluminum–CS2

A mechanism is proposed for the polymerization of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene (s-PB) with soluble cobalt-organoaluminum-CS₂. The proposed active species have structures which consist of side-on coordination of CS₂ to cobalt, anti-π-allyl growing end, cisoid bidentate coordination of butadiene, and activation by complex formation with organoaluminum at the nonbonded sulfur of the coordinated CS₂. This proposal is based on findings for the aluminum-free catalyst Co(C₄H₆)(C₈H₁₃)-CS₂. It is tentatively interpreted that syndiotactic 1,2 polymerization proceeds under the influence of the side-on coordinated CS₂, by which the reactivity between the terminal carbons of butadiene and the C3 of the π-allyl end is enhanced.     

Computational studies of 1,2-dithiete and dithioglyoxal

Ab initio calculations are reported on the energies, geometries, vibrational frequencies, and ionization potentials of the H₂C₂S₂ isomers: 1,2-dithiete, cis-dithioglyoxal, and trans-dithioglyoxal. In contrast to most earlier computations, the results of this work indicate that 1,2-dithiete and cis-dithioglyoxal lie close in energy (within 3 kcal/mol) with the dithial more stable. Trans-dithioglyoxal is found to be 4.1 kcal/mol more stable than the cis isomer and faces a barrier to internal rotation of 5.5 kcal/mol. The predicted rotational constants for 1,2-dithiete agree within ～0.05 GHz with the experimentally observed values thus lending credence to the predictions for cis-dithioglyoxal (A_e 14.30683, B_e 2.46324, C_e 2.10143 GHz). Vibrational frequencies are given as potential aids to the identification of these molecules. 6-31G* ΔSCF calculations predict that at low energies (8 to 13 eV) the photoelectron spectra of 1,2-dithiete, cis-dithioglyoxal and trans-dithioglyoxal should be similar.     

Thermal isomerization and decomposition of 1,2-butadiene in shock waves

1,2-Butadiene diluted with Ar was heated behind reflected shock waves over the temperature and the total density range of 1100–1600 K and 1.36 × 10^?5 ? 1.75 × 10^?5 mol/cm³. The major products were 1,3-butadiene, 1-butyne, 2-butyne, vinylacetylene, diacetylene, allene, propyne, C₂H₆, C₂H₄, CH₄, and benzene, which were analyzed by gas chromatography. The UV kinetic absorption spectroscopy at 230 nm showed that 1,2-butadiene rapidly isomerizes to 1,3-butadiene from the initial stage of the reaction above 1200 K. In order to interpret the formation of 1,3-butadiene, 1-butyne, and 2-butyne, it was necessary to include the parallel isomerizations of 1,2-butadiene to these isomers. The present data were successfuly modeled with a 82 reaction mechanism. From the modeling, rate constant expressions were derived for the isomerization 1,2-butadiene = 1,3-butadiene to be k₃ = 2.5 × 10¹³ exp(?63 kcal/RT) s^?1 and for the decomposition 1,2-butadiene = C₃H₃ + CH₃ to be k₆ = 2.0 × 10¹⁵ exp(?75 kcal/RT) s^?1, where the activation energies, 63 kcal/mol and 75 kcal/mol, were assumed. These rate constants are only applicable under the present experimental conditions, 1100–1600 K and 1.23–2.30 atm. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Radiation-induced crosslinking and cyclization in 1,2-polybutadiene

In order to get information on the radiolytic changes in 1,2-polybutadiene (1,2-PB) the sol and gel fractions, the conversion of double bonds, the structure and concentration of radicals, the formation of dienes and the formation of gaseous products were measured. In addition, the dose rate dependence and temperature dependence for the conversion of double bonds were determined. G values for double bond conversion depend on molecular weight and range from 20 to 200. G values for crosslinking are about 10. A mechanism for the double bond conversion is proposed which involves initiation by a transformation of the primary radical ion in the vinyl group into a carbonium ion and a radical. This is supported by ESR measurement. Reaction of the carbonium ion with a vinyl group in the same chain gives rise to cyclization, whereas reaction with a vinyl group in a neighboring chain results in crosslinking. A comparison of the G values for conversion of double bonds with the G values for crosslinking shows that the formation of cyclic rings exceeds the formation of crosslinks by a factor of about 10. The corresponding values in 1,4-cis- and 1,4-trans-polybutadiene are much smaller [G(cl) ? 2; G(db) ? 7]. The pendent vinyl groups in 1,2-polybutadiene therefore are more reactive than the vinylidene groups in 1,4-polybutadienes.     

Characterization of diene polymers. I. Infrared and NMR studies: Nonadditive behavior of characteristic infrared bands

Extinction coefficients of the characteristic infrared bands due to isomeric structural units were measured for polybutadiene and polyisoprene in CS₂ or CCl₄ solutions and were compared with the isomer composition determined by NMR. The NMR signal assignments were made on the basis of the spectra of deutero derivatives of the polymers. In the case of polyisoprene, linear relations were obtained between the extinction coefficients and the isomer contents determined by NMR for the absorption bands at 1385 cm^?1 (characteristic of trans-1,4 units), 1376 cm^?1 (cis-1,4 units), and 889 cm^?1 (3,4 units). However, for the absorption bands at 840 cm^?1 (characteristic of cis-1,4 and trans-1,4 units), isomerized polyisoprenes did not give such a linear relationship. In polybutadiene, the extinction coefficient for the atactic 1,2 units was found to be lower than that of the syndiotactic 1,2 unit. These experimental facts lead to the conclusion that additivity of the extinction coefficients does not always hold for diene polymers. The deviation from the linear relation may be associated with regular sequences of one isomeric conformation in the chain.     

Melt spinning of syndiotactic 1, 2-polybutadiene for preparation of carbon fibers

The thermal crosslinking and loss of vinyl unsaturation of syndiotactic 1, 2-polybutadiene(_s-PB) at 180–230°C were prevented by stabilizers with 3, 5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyloxy group. The _s-PB samples (mp 140–198°C and MW 20,000–70,000) that contained the stabilizers could be melt-spun at a temperature below 220°C into 1-denier fibers to be used for the preparation of carbon fibers. The _s-PB fibers with higher mp and/or higher MW could be obtained by the addition of a high boiling solvent such as tetralin. The relationship between the molecular structures of _s-PB and the properties of resulting _s-PB fibers, including the degree of molecular orientation measured by birefringence and x-ray diffraction, is presented. Spun fibers showed small swellings here and there along the fiber axis, which would have resulted from the inhomogeneity of the melt of _s-PB spun at a temperature slightly above the melting point. The gelation was unlikely to occur.     

Kinetic study of the crosslinking reaction of 1,2‐polybutadiene with dicumyl peroxide in the absence and presence of vinyl acetate

The crosslinking reaction of 1,2-polybutadiene (1,2-PB) with dicumyl peroxide (DCPO) in dioxane was kinetically studied by means of Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy (FTNIR). The crosslinking reaction was followed in situ by the monitoring of the disappearance of the pendant vinyl group of 1,2-PB with FTNIR. The initial disappearance rate (R₀) of the vinyl group was expressed by R₀ = k[DCPO]^0.8[vinyl group]^−0.2 (120 °C). The overall activation energy of the reaction was estimated to be 38.3 kcal/mol. The unusual rate equation was explained in terms of the polymerization of the pendant vinyl group as an allyl monomer involving degradative chain transfer to the monomer. The reaction mixture involved electron spin resonance (ESR)-observable polymer radicals, of which the concentration rapidly increased with time owing to a progress of crosslinking after an induction period of 200 min. The crosslinking reaction of 1,2-PB with DCPO was also examined in the presence of vinyl acetate (VAc), which was regarded as a copolymerization of the vinyl group with VAc. The vinyl group of 1,2-PB was found to show a reactivity much higher than 1-octene and 3-methyl-1-hexene as model compounds in the copolymerization with VAc. This unexpectedly high reactivity of the vinyl group suggested that an intramolecular polymerization process proceeds between the pendant vinyl groups located on the same polymer chain, possibly leading to the formation of block-like polymer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4437–4447, 2004     

1,2 Enriched polymerization of isoprene by cobalt complex carrying aminophosphory fused (PN3) ligand

Metal-catalyzed selective isoprene polymerization has been a major entry toward cis-1,4, trans-1,4, and 3,4 isomers of polyisoprene, however, 1,2 selective polymerization of isoprene has not yet been achieved due to the steric problem. In this work, difluoro cobalt complexes carrying aminophosphory (-HN-P(=O) ^tBu₂-) fused pyrazol-pyridine ligand has been prepared and characterized. In combination with Mg^n-Bu₂, the formed catalyst unprecedentedly converts isoprene to polyisoprene with 1,2 enchainment up to 50 mol% in a molecular weight controlled polymerization mode. The resultant polymers are fully characterized by NMR, IR, DSC, and GPC. The 1,2 incorporation of polyisoprene is weakly dependent on feeding of Mg^n-Bu₂ and reaction temperature. The weak affinity between Mg²⁺ and allylic terminal of propagating chain is possible for the unique 1,2 irregular insertion and non-irreversible chain transfer and termination reactions throughout the chain propagation. The ability of current catalyst demonstrates a big advantage for application in the development of 1,2 selective polymerization of isoprene, and a potential for access to a new family of polyisoprene. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2286–2293     

A lutetium allyl complex that bears a pyridyl-functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligand: dual catalysis on highly syndiospecific and cis-1,4-selective (co)polymerizations of styrene and butadiene

A novel linked‐half‐sandwich lutetium–bis(allyl) complex [(C₅Me₄? C₅H₄N)Lu(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] ( 1 ) attached by a pyridyl‐functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligand was synthesized and fully characterized. Complex 1 in combination with [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] exhibited unprecedented dual catalysis with outstanding activities in highly syndiotactic (rrrr>99 %) styrene polymerization and distinguished cis‐1,4‐selective (99 %) butadiene polymerization, respectively. Strikingly, this catalyst system exhibited remarkable activity (396 kg copolymer (mol_Lu h)^?1) for the copolymerization of butadiene and styrene. Irrespective of whether the monomers were fed in concurrent mode or sequential addition of butadiene followed by styrene, diblock copolymers were obtained exclusively, which was confirmed by a kinetics investigation of monomer conversion of copolymerization with time. In the copolymers, the styrene incorporation rate varied from 4.7 to 85.4 mol %, whereas the polybutadiene (PBD) block was highly cis‐1,4‐regulated (95 %) and the polystyrene segment remained purely syndiotactic (rrrr>99 %). Correspondingly, the copolymers exhibited glass transition temperatures (T_g) around ?107 °C and melting points (T_m) around 268 °C; typical values for diblock microstructures. Such copolymers cannot be accessed by any other methods known to date. X‐ray powder diffraction analysis of these diblock copolymers showed that the crystallizable syndiotactic polystyrene (syn‐PS) block was in the toluene δ clathrate form. The AFM micrographs of diblock copolymer showed a remarkable phase‐separation morphology of the cis‐1,4‐PBD block and syn‐PS block. This represents the first example of a lutetium‐based catalyst showing both high activity and selectivity for the (co)polymerization of styrene and butadiene.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of syndiotactic trans‐1,2 and cis‐1,2 polyhexadienes

The (E) isomer in mixtures of (E) and (Z) 1,3‐hexadiene was polymerized with the system CoCl₂(PⁱPrPh₂)₂‐MAO, a highly active and stereospecific catalyst for the preparation of 1,2 syndiotactic polybutadiene. A new crystalline polymer with a melting point of 109 °C was obtained. The polymer was characterized by IR, NMR (¹³C, ¹H in solution and ¹³C in the solid‐state), X‐ray diffraction, DSC, GPC and it was found to have a trans‐1,2 syndiotactic structure with a 5.18 ± 0.04 Å fiber periodicity. Since only the (E) isomer was polymerized, at the end of the reaction we were able to separate the (Z) isomer, which was ultimately polymerized with CpTiCl₃‐MAO at low temperature, obtaining a low molecular weight, stereoregular polymer that, characterized by IR and NMR methods, was found to exhibit a cis‐1,2 syndiotactic structure, never reported before. Molecular mechanics calculations were carried out on the trans‐1,2 syndiotactic polymer and structural models consistent with the X‐ray diffraction data are proposed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5339–5353, 2007     

Nonlinear relaxation of stress and birefringence in simple extension of 1,2-polybutadiene

Relaxation of stress and birefringence in simple extension has been studied for two samples of 1,2-polybutadiene with 95% and 88% vinyl content and weight-average molecular weight 1.9 and 2.9 × 10⁵, respectively. The extension ratio, λ, ranged from 1.14 to 2.08, temperatures from 0 to 15°C, and times, reduced to 0°C, up to 3 × 10⁵ sec. The stress-optical coefficient C was negative and positive, respectively, for the two samples, the difference being attributable to opposite signs and very different magnitudes of the contributions of the 1,2 and 1,4 moieties to the birefringence. For each polymer, C was independent of time but increased (algebraically) with temperature. For one polymer a very minor dependence of C on λ was observed. At any instant of time, the dependence of both stress and birefringence on λ could be described by equations of the Mooney–Rivlin form with coefficients C₁,C₂ and B₁,B₂, respectively. At short times the contributions of the C₁ and C₂ terms to the stress and of the B₁ and B₂ terms to the birefringence are roughly equal. With increasing time, C₁ and B₁ decrease gradually while C₂ and B₂ remain constant over several decades in time. Finally, C₂ and B₂ decrease rather rapidly. A tentative interpretation of these phenomena in terms of motions of entanglements is given.     

~(13)C-NMR STUDY ON THE EQUIBINARY (cis-1,4;1,2) POLYBUTADIENE POLYMERIZED WITH IRON CATALYST

The (cis-1,4 and 1,2) polybutadiene polymerized with iron catalyst was investigated by ~(13)C-NMR. Assignments have been made on the spectra for all peaks of the aliphatic and olefinic carbons using chemical shift corrective terms together with Furukawa parameters. The relative intensities of peaks were calculated from the Bernoulli distribution of cis-1,4 and 1,2 units.Quantification of cis-1,4 and 1,2 contents, sequence distribution, alternation pattern of cis-1,4 and 1,2 units, and the chain propagation mechanism were discussed as a result of the detailed study of the spectra.     

Enhancement of stereospecificity in isoprene polymerization with alkylaluminum–titanium chloride catalysts through use of carbon disulfide

The effect of CS₂ on isoprene polymerization with triisobutylaluminum-titanium tetrachloride catalysts was studied at Al/Ti ratios of optimum (0.9) and higher values. In the absence of CS₂, appreciable amounts of low molecular weight oils (“extractables”) were formed at the expense of cis-1,4-polyisoprene with higher than optimum Al/Ti ratios. Small amounts of CS₂ were found to prevent extractables formation and allow attainment of higher yields of cis-1,4-polyisoprene. The optimum CS₂/Ti chloride molar ratio (0.1) was independent of the Al/Ti ratio of the catalyst. Polymer microstructure and dilute solution viscosity were unaffected by CS₂. The results support the theory that the catalyst surfaces hold two types of active sites: p-sites, which initiate polymerization, and o-sites, which lead to oligomerization. CS₂ appears to enhance polymerization by coordinating selectively at the o-sites. The predominance of oligomerization at the higher Al/Ti ratios was attributed to a destruction of p-sites by excess trialkyl-aluminum.     

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations of 3,4-dihydro-1,2-dioxin, 3,6-dihydro-1,2-dioxin, 4H-1,3-dioxin (1,3-diox-4-ene), and 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxin (1,4-dioxene)

Optimized geometries and total energies for 3,4-dihydro-1,2-dioxin ( 1 ), 3,6-dihydro-1,2-dioxin ( 2 ), 4H-1,3-dioxin (1,3-diox-4-ene, 3 ), and 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxin (1,4-dioxene, 4 ) were calculated using ab initio 3-21G, 6-31G*, and MP2/6-31G*//6-31G* methods. The half-chair conformers of 1 (C₁), 2 (C₂), 3 (C₁), and 4 (C₂) are more stable than their respective planar structures [ 1 (C_s), 2 (C_2v), 3 (C_s), and 4 (C_2v)]. Among the four isomers 1 – 4 , the half-chair conformer of 3 is the most stable. It is 53.1, 54.6, and 3.4 kcal mol⁻¹ more stable than 1 , 2 , and 4 , respectively. The largest energy difference (19.0 kcal mol⁻¹) is observed between the half-chair and planar conformers of 2 . The boat conformers of 2 and 4 are less stable than their respective half-chair conformers, but are more stable than their planar structures. Hyperconjugative orbital interactions (anomeric effects) contribute to the greater stability of 3 (n_O(3) →σ*_C(2)—O(1), n_O(3)→σ*,n _O(3)→σ*) and of 4 (n_O(1)→ σ*). The ab initio calculated structural features of the half-chair conformations of the dihydrodioxins 1 – 4 are compared with the half-chair conformations of cyclohexene and the chair conformations of cyclohexane, oxacyclohexane (tetrahydropyran), 1,2-dioxacyclohexane (1,2-dioxane), 1,3-dioxacyclohexane (1,3-dioxane), and 1,4-dioxacyclohexane (1,4-dioxane) © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 18 : 1392–1406, 1997     

Thermolysis of disubstituted 1,2-dioxetanes: Activation parameters and chemiexcitation yields

trans-3-Methyl-4-(p-anisyl)-1,2-dioxetane 1, trans-3-methyl-4-(o-anisyl)-1,2-dioxetane 2 , 3-methyl-3-benzyl-1,2-dioxetane 3 , and 3-methyl-3-p-methoxybenzyl-1,2-dioxetane 4 were synthesized in low yield by the β-bromo hydroperoxide method. The activation parameters were determined by the chemiluminescence method (for 1 ΔG≠ = 22.8 ± 0.3 kcal/mol, Δ≠ = 22.2, ΔS≠ = −1.7 e.u., k₆₀ = 7.6 × 10⁻³s⁻¹; for 2 ΔG≠ + 23.6 ± 0.3 kcal/mol, ΔH≠ = 22.8, ΔS≠ = −2.2 e.u., k₆₀ = 2.5 × 10⁻³S⁻¹; for 3 ΔG≠ = 24.0 ± 0.4 kcal/mol, ΔH≠ = 23.1, ΔS≠ = −2.7 e.u., k₆₀ = 1.2 × 10⁻³S⁻¹; for 4 ΔG≠ = 24.0 ± 0.2 kcal/mol, ΔH≠, = 23.2, ΔS≠, = −2.4 e.u., k₆₀ = 1.2 × 10⁻³s⁻¹). Thermolysis of 1–4 produced excited carbonyl fragments (direct production of high yields of triplets relative to excited singlets) [chemiexcitation yields ϕ^T, ϕ^S, respectively: for 1 0.02, 0.0001; for 2 0.02, 0.0001; for 3 0.03, 0.0002; for 4 0.02, 0.0001]. The effect of paramethoxyaryl substitution was consistent with electronic effects. The ortho substitution in 2 resulted in an increase in stability of the dioxetane, opposite that observed for an electronic effect. The results are discussed in relation to a diradical-like mechanism.     

Epoxidation of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene with peracids

The epoxidation of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene (84 and 16% 1,2 and 1,4 units, respectively) with carboxylic peracids prepared in situ and m-chloroperbenzoic acid was studied. In the course of epoxidation in the presence of carboxylic peracids, oxirane groups are formed only through epoxidation of double bonds in the macromolecular backbone, whereas m-chloroperbenzoic acid is responsible for the chemical modification of 1,2 and 1,4 units of polybutadiene. The basic kinetic parameters of 1,2-polybutadiene epoxidation with peracids of various chemical structures were determined.     

Bonding of acetylene to copper atom,dimer, and trimer

The bonding of acetylene to copper atom, dimer, and trimer was investigated with a Kohn–Sham density functional approach. Full geometry optimization yielded the equilibrium structures of various Cu_nC₂H₂ species. Gradient corrections were included in the calculation of binding energies (BE ). The Cu—C₂H₂ complex was found to have a C_s structure and a BE of 10 kcal/mol. Three isomers of Cu₂C₂H₂ have similar total energies: a C_2v end-bonded structure with a BE of 18 kcal/mol, and two 1,2-dicupro ethylene isomers—a cis form with a BE of 12 kcal/mol and a trans form with a BE of 15 kcal/mol. Two stable C_2v isomers of Cu₃C₂H₂ were found. In both isomers, the Cu₃ ring relaxes from its isosceles structure, with two short bonds (2.247 Å) and one long bond (2.478 Å), and adopts a nearly equilateral geometry. In one isomer of Cu₃C₂H₂, the acetylene is bonded to one apex of the Cu₃ ring with a BE of 29 kcal/mol. In the other, it is bonded to two copper atoms of one side of the Cu₃ ring with a BE of 33 kcal/mol. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thermolysis of 3‐alkyl‐3‐methyl‐1,2‐dioxetanes: activation parameters and chemiexcitation yields

3‐Methyl‐3‐(3‐pentyl)‐1,2‐dioxetane 1 and 3‐methyl‐3‐(2,2‐dimethyl‐1‐propyl)‐1,2‐dioxetane 2 were synthesized in low yield by the α‐bromohydroperoxide method. The activation parameters were determined by the chemiluminescence method (for 1 ΔH‡ = 25.0 ± 0.3 kcal/mol, ΔS‡ = −1.0 entropy unit (e.u.), ΔG‡ = 25.3 kcal/mol, k₁ (60°C) = 4.6 × 10⁻⁴s⁻¹; for 2 ΔH‡ = 24.2 ± 0.2 kcal/mol, ΔS‡ = −2.0 e.u., ΔG‡ = 24.9 kcal/mol, k₁ (60°C) = 9.2 × 10⁻⁴s⁻¹. Thermolysis of 1–2 produced excited carbonyl fragments (direct production of high yields of triplets relative to excited singlets) (chemiexcitation yields for 1: ϕ^T = 0.02, ϕ^S ≤ 0.0005; for 2: ϕ^T = 0.02, ϕ^S ≤ 0.0004). The results are discussed in relation to a diradical‐like mechanism. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:176–179, 2001