The Thermal Behavior of Methyl Dehydroabietate at 600–800 °C

Abstract

Methyl dehydroabietate was pyrolyzed on Vycor rod at 600, 700, and 800 °C with varying contact times. Some 40–60 products were observed upon g.l.p.c. analysis, with the number of products decreasing with increasing temperature and increasing contact time at 800 °C. Considerable carbon formation was found to occur at 800 °C and long contact times. The 24 major products which could readily be separated by preparative g.l.p.c. methods were collected and identified. The high yield of naphthalene-related compounds obtained is explained by the thermal rupture of the A-ring which is initiated by elimination of the carbomethoxy moiety.