Pyrolysis of ethyl maleate leads to cis→ trans inversion, with concurrent alkyl–oxygen scission (A1; predominating), acyl–oxygen scission (B2), and decarboxylation (C2). For methyl maleate, A1 scission is structurally precluded; there is cis→ trans inversion, with concurrent B2 and C2 scission. Ethylene diacrylate and dimethacrylate both undergo a predominating double C2 scission, in competition with A1 scission and a minor B2 ...
