Comment to the paper “Synthesis of myrcene by pyrolysis of β-pinene: Analysis of decomposition reactions” by M.B. Kolicheski et al. [J. Anal. Appl. Pyrol. 80 (2007) 92–100]

The authors presented in their paper a theoretical route describing the formation of myrcene (2) in dependence of the reaction temperature during the production from β-pinene (1) [M.B. Kolicheski, L.C. Cocco, D.A. Mitchell, M. Kaminski, J. Anal. Appl. Pyrol. 80 (2007) 92]. Pyrolysis experiments carried out seem to correlate with the mathematical model. Initial reaction schemes for the formation of 2 as well as for decomposition reactions were presented. However, reconsideration of the data reviled, serious interpretation flaws regarding content and reaction mechanisms were found.