[thasan]

does anybody know how xylene decomposes by pyrolysis (C8H10== xylene mixture of isomers) at around 1200 degree C?
im not a chemistry student but tried books and web but couldnt find a definite answer
pls help

[Dude]

You would likely eliminate hydrogen to form poly(xylylene) with the para isomer at temperatures up to 950 C
Principles of Polymerization, George Odian, Wiley, 1991, p 315.

At temperatures above 1000 C, I suspect that you would form soot (graphite or some low hydrogen content soot).  

There is also a body of work making carbon nanotubes with xylene, however, this involves the addition of hydrogen.
http://www.ee.psu.edu/grimes/publications/CarbonPaper.pdf

[thasan]

many thanx for your answer.
i am also growing cnts with ferrocene and xylene..
i will have a look on the book you have mentioned.

[MAX]

have you find any informations in the Odian's book about the decomposition ?
i'm interrested in that too.

[HP]

For the pyrolisis of p-hylene you need temperatures above 1000C and vacuum to form poly paraxylene(PPX) after cooling.
If you use substances like cyclophanes you may open pyroticaly their rings in low temp below 600C...