Ethyl acrylate and methacrylate break down by competing primary A1, C2, and B2 scissions (A1 predominating) ; methyl acrylate, methacrylate, and crotonate show competing C2 and B2 scissions. In addition, ethyl and methyl acrylate yield ethanol and methanol respectively, presumably together with labile methyleneketen by a minor competing B scission. Acrylic, methacrylic, and crotonic acid undergo competing C2 and C1 scissions, together with a minor dehydration to acid anhydride : the novel C1 scissions produce acetaldehyde, acetone, and propionaldehyde respectively, via the corresponding enol. Acraldehyde, methacraldehyde, and crotonaldehyde undergo C1 scission, the resulting olefin undergoing some secondary breakdown. All pyrolyses were at ca.

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