Toluene pyrolysis in an electric ARC: Products analysis

Toluene pyrolysis in a submerged carbon arc produced at least 72 different molecular species as detected by gas-chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The most abundant products found were bibenzyl (1,2-diphenylethane), naphthalene and biphenylene. Furthermore, also diethynylbenzene isomers, fluorene, diphenymethane, indene and biphenyl were produced in appreciable amounts. The formation mechanisms of these and other minor products are discussed mainly in the light of the benzyl radical and its decay into other products. Among polyynes, only 1,3,5,7-octatetrayne was produced above 1% relative yield. The results are discussed in comparison to the products detected in toluene pyrolysis under other experimental conditions, such as shock tube pyrolysis and toluene flames. Furthermore, a comparison with the products obtained from the benzene pyrolysis is reported.