Cyclobutane derivatives cleavage, thermal

Most of the polymers are easily depolymerized photochemically and thermally in solution to the corresponding monomers, as is expected from the ring cleavage reaction of a number of cyclobutane derivatives yielding two olefins. For example, poly-DSP in solution is depolymerized to DSP nearly quantitatively upon photoirradiation for a relatively short period36 or by heating at above 200°C70). 

A great deal is already known about the pyrolysis of pinenes," which constitutes a perfect case for the study of cyclobutane cycloreversion reactions. In practice, this avenue was first explored with the hope of obtaining products with commercial value.99 Unfortunately, the application of these reactions to organic synthesis is somewhat restricted, because complex product mixtures cause complications. For the sake of clarity Table 6100 110 outlines only the cycloreversion products and their straightforward secondary derivatives nevertheless, it demonstrates some of the synthetic uses of these thermal cleavage reactions. 

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