Photolysis of 2,2,3,3-Tetramethylbutane

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/j100438a002

The gas phase photolysis at 147 nm of 2,2,3,3-tetramethylbutane (hexamethylethane) gives the following primary products in decreasing order of importance: H, t-C4H9, i-C4H8, CH3, i-C4H10, C3H6, CH4, H2.The final product distribution is readily interpreted by using known reactions of these primary fragments.Our interpretation indicates a considerably greater importance than found in earlier examination by Gowenlock and Johnson for the role of tert-butyl radical.With the exception of isobutane, the molecular primary products parallel those found in earlier work by Rebbert, Lias, and Ausloos on neopentane.