Product identification and mass spectrometric analysis on pyrolysis of furan and its derivatives at low pressure

The pyrolysis products of furan, 2-methylfuran (2 MF) and 2, 5-dimethylfuran (DMF) in flow reactor at low pressure were detected by synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry (SVUV-PIMS). Regarding the signal intensities and formation temperatures, the major primary decomposition products of three fuels were compared. Mass spectrometric analysis was performed to provide experimental evidence for discussion of primary decomposition pathways of the three fuels. The dominant primary decomposition pathways of furan, 2 MF and DMF pyrolysis are concluded to be the carbenic rearrangement to produce CO+propyne, CO+1-butyne and acetyl+C₄H₅, respectively, verifying previous theoretical results.