Quantum‐mechanical discussion of the gas‐phase formation of quinonedimethide monomers

The formation of quinonedimethide monomers by pyrolysis of the corresponding dimethyl hydrocarbons has been described by Szwarc in a number of publications. Under certain conditions, the monomers so produced may polymerize to high molecular weight products which are of considerable interest. Some dimethylated hydrocarbons do not, however, appear to from monomers under these conditions, and the products of pyrolysis vary considerably with hydrocarbons of different structure. In this communication, the energetics of the various reactions leading to formation of radicals, quinonedimethide monomers, and products of their dimerization or disproportionation are briefly discussed theoretically. The kinetics of the most probable reaction sequences are discussed in the light of the energetic data, and it is shown that a number of features of results so far obtained can be understood in terms of this preliminary treatment. It is hoped that this approach will prove useful as a guide to the types of reactions to be expected for aromatic hydrocarbons of differing π‐electron structure.