Thermal reactions of endo- and exo-6-methylbicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-enes: an experimental test for a potential ring inversion

endo-6-Methylbicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene at 275°C in the gas phase isomerizes and fragments with a first-order rate constant for disappearance of 7.3×10−6 s−1. The exo-methyl isomer is not formed; the ring inversion isomerization of the bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene is not kinetically competitive.