The pyrolysis of methyl alkyl esters I to III and dithioesters IV to VI were theoretically calculated.
All possible pyrolysis paths were considered. Both esters and dithioesters presented three potential
paths via six-, four- and five-membered ring transition states, respectively. The calculation processes
were calculated using MP2/6-31G(d) set. In-depth theoretical analyses were also presented, including
NBO related analyses, synchronicities, and charge distributions, to reveal the detailed pyrolysis
process.