The thermal unimolecular isomerization of 1,1-divinylcyclopropane

The thermal isomerization of 1,1-divinylcyclopropane has been investigated in the gas phase in the temperature range of 238 to 288°C and for pressures in the range of 4 to 12 torr. The isomerization to 1-vinylcyclopentene is homogeneous and kinetically first order and almost certainly unimolecular. The rate constants yield the Arrhenius equation or The assumption of a similar transition state for this isomerization with that of l-methyl-l-vinylcyclopropane leads to a value for an alkylpentadienyl radical stabilisation energy of 19.2 ± 1.6 kcal/mole (80.4 ± 6.7 kJ/mole), and this value is compared with other estimates.