The mechanism of the thermal decarbonylation of 2,2-dimethyl-3-butenal

Abstract

The thermal decarbonylation of 2,2-dimethyl-3-butenal is shown to be an intramolecular extrusion of carbon monoxide concerted with the transfer of hydrogen (deuterium) to the γ-position. The reaction displays a kinetic isotope effect of 2.8 (at 296.9 °C) and follows first order kinetics (Ea = 44.2 ± 0.2 kcal mol−1, log A = 13.4 ± 0.3).