Controlled pyrolysis of maleic hydrazide

Abstract

Maleic hydrazide (MH) has been pyrolysed at 600°C in our controlled pyrolysis apparatus. During pyrolysis volatile compounds distil out ahead of the moving heated zone and are not extensively repyrolysed, while those substances which are absorbed by pyrolysand or are relatively nonvolatile are repyrolysed. Also, reactive intermediates can react with one another or with unpyrolysed material. Pyrolysis products determined include CO2 (24 wt%), CO (2 wt%), HCN (3 wt%), NH3 (9 wt%) and N2 (3 wt%). The gases identified account for 41 % of the maleic hydrazide pyrolysed. An additional 50% of the material pyrolysed remains as a black solid having the approximate composition C15H15N5O2. Approximately 1 % of the maleic hydrazide is unchanged. Thus, the fate of 92% of the maleic hydrazide can be accounted for. A trace amount of hydrazine could be detected. The results obtained using controlled pyrolysis are compared with results obtained by us and others using different pyrolytic conditions.

The Fate of Maleic Hydrazide on Tobacco during Smoking

“…Chopra, however, on mathematical grounds, has questioned this implication [11]. Ninety-four percent of MH is known to degrade into CO 2 , CO, NH, HCN, and so forth [12]. This result is partly consistent with ours.…”