The kinetics of the heterogeneous thermal decomposition of methyl formate

In investigating the rates of chemical reactions, gaseous systems are to be preferred on account of their simplicity. The investigation of the thermal decomposition of organic compounds in the gaseous state possesses the added advantage that there is only one reactant. The present investigation deals with the thermal decomposition of gaseous methyl formate. The apparatus was essentially the same as that which has been employed by Hinshelwood and his co-workers in a large number of investigations.