Preference for structural versus geometric isomerization in the BCl3-catalyzed thermal isomerizations of gaseous 1,2-dimethylcyclopropane

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/j100313a006

The thermal isomerization reactions of gaseous cis- and trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane have been studied in the presence and absence of boron trichloride, in a static reactor at 574 < T < 708 K. Both geometrical (cis ? trans) and structural (→ pentenes and methylbutenes) isomerizations are accelerated by BCl₃, but the normally slower structural rearrangements become the dominant reactions in the presence of catalyst. Mechanistic implications are discussed.