Chapter 12 - Pyrolysis of Carboxylic Acids

Abstract

This chapter discusses pyrolysis of a variety of compounds containing carboxyl groups. This include monocarboxylic acids such as formic, acetic, homologs and substituted acetic acids, acids with α,β-unsaturation and β,γ-unsaturation, and several aromatic monocarboxylic acids. The discussion on di- and polycarboxylic acids includes oxalic acid; malonic and malonic-type acids; succinic and glutaric-type acids; maleic, fumaric, and glutaconic acids; adipic and pimelic type acids; and several aromatic dicarboxylic acids. Pyrolysis of polycarboxylic acids is also discussed here. Among the acids with additional functionalities are present the α-, β-, γ- and δ-hydroxy acids; hydroxy acids with several hydroxyl and/or carbonyl groups; terpenoids with carboxyl and OH groups; halogeno acids; cyclic ether acids; aldehyde acids and keto acids; lactonic acids; acids with the carboxyl group attached to an aromatic heterocycle; and terpenoids with carboxyl and carbonyl groups. Pyrolysis of various salts of organic acids as well as of thio acids is also included.