A theoretical study towards thermolysis process of thionesters and thiolesters

This paper focuses on the thermal elimination of alkenes from methyl alkyl thionacetates and thiolacetates. Three alkyl groups are calculated: ethyl, isopropyl and tert-butyl. Possible elimination mechanisms are considered, including six- and four-membered ring transition states for alkene elimination, four-membered ring isomerization and a possible five-membered ring decomposition. Theoretical calculations are performed with the MP2 method and the 6-31G* basis set. Wiberg bond indices are also summarized to monitor the reaction progress.