Thermal decomposition of propylene oxide

Abstract

In the temperature range 402–425 °C, propylene oxide in a toluene medium decomposes to form propionaldehyde (60–70%), acetone (14%), and free radicals (25%). The ratio of products is invarient with temperature, suggesting a common precursor to all three products. Propionaldehyde further decomposes into free radicals. The first order rate expression for propylene oxide disappearance is3.7 × 1012 e−51900/RT s−1.