The thermal decomposition of methylhyphen;nhyphen;butyl ether proceeds in a manner analogous to that of the other ethers. There is no evidence to support the suggestion that it might decompose into methyl alcohol and ethylene by a ring closure through a hydrogen bond. In the first stages of the decomposition about 60 percent of the ether decomposes into CH4and C3H7CHO and about 40 percent into HCHO, C2H4and C2H6. The decomposition of the aldehydes occurs at rates greater than that of the ether, probably induced by radicals from the ether. The butyraldehyde yields mainly CH4, C2H4and CO. Firsthyphen;order constants fall off as the reaction proceeds and also with diminishing pressure. The energy of activation at about 200 mm pressure is 54.0 kcal. and at 100 mm 56.6 kcal. For the reaction inhibited by nitric oxide the energy of activation is about 60 kcal.
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