Thermal degradation of a model for the 'unsaturated end group' of poly(methyl methacrylate ) gives products which suggest that homolytic bond cleavage, and not a retro-ene reaction, is the major pathway. The diester (CH3)2C(COOCH3)CH2C(COOCH3)=CH2, when heated at 250-300º, gives up to 50 mole % of methyl 2-methylpropanoate (methyl isobutyrate ).
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Morrow et al. (1987) studied this question.