Kinetics and mechanism of thermal gas-phase elimination of α- and β- (N-arylamino)propanoic acid: experimental and theoretical analysis

2-(N-Phenylamino)propanoic acid and 3-(N-phenylamino)-propanoic acid together with four of their aryl analogues were pyrolysed in the gas-phase. The reactions were homogeneous and free from catalytic and radical pathways. Analysis of the pyrolysate of showed the elimination products to be carbon monoxide, acetaldehyde and aniline, while the pyrolysate of reveals the formation of acrylic acid in addition to aniline. Theoretical study of the pyrolysis of using an ab initio SCF method lend support to a reaction pathway involving a 4-membered cyclic transition state.