Pyrolysis and oxidation of phenol

Research was conducted to examine the pyrolysis and oxidation of phenol. The objective of the study is to acquire experimental oxidation data over a range of stoichiometries as well as complementary phenol pyrolysis data. Results indicate that cyclopentadiene is a major reaction intermediate. Reaction intermediates are consistent not only with the findings of a cyclopentadiene oxidation study but also with reactions in the postulated mechanism of phenol oxidation.