The Thermal Decomposition of Phenylacetic Acid

The thermal decomposition of phenylacetic acid was investigated by the toluene-carrier technique over the temperature range 587 to 722 °C. The products of the pyrolysis were carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, dibenzyl, and phenylketene. From the kinetics of the decomposition it was concluded that the reaction[Formula: see text]was a homogeneous, first-order process and that the rate constant of this dissociation step was represented by the expression k = 8 × 1012.e−55,000/RT sec−1. The activation energy of this reaction may be identified with D(C6H5CH2—COOH). The possible reactions of carboxyl radicals are discussed.