Thermal decomposition of aliphatic nitro-compounds

Literature data on the thermal decomposition reactions of aliphatic nitro-compounds are surveyed and described systematically. Information concerning the influence of molecular structure on the rates and mechanisms of the gas-phase reactions is presented and the structures of the transition states in the C-N dissociation and HNO₂ elimination processes are examined. The characteristic features of the decomposition of nitro-compounds in the condensed phase are desctibed. Data are presented on the C-N bond dissociation energy and the influence on the latter of electronic, steric, and conformational effects. The bibliography includes 86 references.