Comparison between experimental and calculated results on the decomposition of chemically activated alcohols

The life times of chemically activated alcohols have been determined using the high‐pressure unimolecular rate parameters for thermal decomposition of alcohols from shocktube studies and RRKM calculations. They are compared with literature numbers (from insertion of 0(1D) into hydrocarbons). It is suggested that in some cases singlet oxygen carries excess energy into the hydrocarbon. The consequences of such an assumption are explored and discrepancies with previously published conclusions discussed.