Radiolysis of liquid hydrocarbons containing deuterium sulfide

Abstract

The radiolysis of hydrocarbons containing dissolved D2S leads to HD, D2, and H2 formation, the total hydrogen yields being greater than those in the absence of D2S. A limiting yield of HD is attained at low D2S concentrations (~5 mole%) in all solvents studied. This limiting yield is equal to G(H•) in ethane at 195°K but not in c-C6H12 at 298°K when G(HD) is much greater than accepted values of G(H•). D2S behaves as both an electron and a positive ion scavenger, most of the D2 and probably some of the HD being formed in these processes. The use of D2S to determine H atom and ion yields in irradiated alkanes is not recommended.