Flash Vacuum Pyrolysis: Techniques and Reactions

Flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) had its beginnings in the 1940s and 1950s, mainly through mass spectrometric detection of pyrolytically formed free radicals. In the 1960s many organic chemists started performing FVP experiments with the purpose of isolating new and interesting compounds and understanding pyrolysis processes. Meanwhile, many different types of apparatus and techniques have been developed, and it is the purpose of this review to present the most important methods as well as a survey of typical reactions and observations that can be achieved with the various techniques. This includes preparative FVP, chemical trapping reactions, matrix isolation, and low temperature spectroscopy of reactive intermediates and unstable molecules, the use of online mass, photoelectron, microwave, and millimeterwave spectroscopies, gas-phase laser pyrolysis, pulsed pyrolysis with supersonic jet expansion, very low pressure pyrolysis for kinetic investigations, solution-spray and falling-solid FVP for involatile compounds, and pyrolysis over solid supports and reagents. Moreover, the combination of FVP with matrix isolation and photochemistry is a powerful tool for investigations of reaction mechanism.

Facial Selectivity in the Addition of Lithium Dimethylcuprate to 6-Substituted Tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]deca-4,8-dienones. Synthesis of β-Substituted Cyclopentenones Using Flash Vacuum Thermolysis

The stereoselectivity of the nucleophilic addition of lithium dimethylcuprate and lithium di-n-pentylcuprate to 6-substituted tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]deca-4,8-dienones was investigated. It was shown that substituents at the 6-position can either exert a steric effect or an electronic effect. Steric approach control predominantly giving the endo product was observed for 6-alkyl substituents. Stereoelectronic control could be adequately rationalised using the Cieplak model. Flash vacuum thermolysis was used to prepare a series of β-substituted cyclopentenoids. The sequence leading to cyclopentenoids has an attractive scope.