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Updated: Dec 19, 2025

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers
Published on: December 16, 2022
Do Xylylenes Isomerize in Pyrolysis?
Florian Hirsch1, Kai Pachner1, Ingo Fischer1
1Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
Abstract:
We report infrared spectra of xylylene isomers in the gas phase, using free electron laser (FEL) radiation. All xylylenes were generated by flash pyrolysis. The IR spectra were obtained by monitoring the ion dip signal, using a IR/UV double resonance scheme. A gas phase IR spectrum of para-xylylene was recorded, whereas ortho- and meta-xylylene were found to partially rearrange to benzocyclobutene and styrene. Computations of the UV oscillator strength for all molecules were carried out and provde an explanation for the observation of the isomerization products.
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