Thermal decomposition of isomeric nitropropenes: A photoelectron spectroscopic study

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00162a002

The thermal decomposition of the three isomers of nitropropene has been investigated in a flow system at low pressures, by using the characteristic bands of the photoelectron spectra of the products for their identification. Of the three isomers, 1- and 2-nitropropene decomposed to give products analogous to those found in the thermolysis of nitrostyrenes, implying some similarities in mechanism. On the other hand, 3-nitropropene gave similar products as 3-propenyl nitrite, indicating the isomerization of the nitro compound to the nitrite form as a probable first step for decomposition.