The rate constant for the reaction cyclohexene -> ethylene + 1,3-butadiene was determined by monitoring the formation of ethylene during the pyrolysis of cyclohexene behind reflected shock waves. Ethylene mole-fraction time-histories were measured using direct laser absorption at 10.532 mu m. Experiments were performed between 950-1300 K and 0.8-3.7 atm. Measurements do not indicate any pressure dependence at these conditions. The data are best-fit by an Arrhenius expression k [s(-1)] = 4.84 x 10(14) exp (-31900 [K]/T) with uncertainties of +/-19-36%, depending on the temperature. This appears to be the most accurate determination to date of the rate constant for cyclohexene decomposition. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.