THE MERCURY PHOTOSENSITIZED DECOMPOSITION OF ETHANE: III. THE REACTION IN THE PRESENCE OF ADDED DEUTERIUM

Abstract

The mercury photosensitized reactions of ethane-deuterium mixtures have been investigated. The products of the reaction were separated by low-temperature fractional distillation, and the deuterium content of each was determined. It was found that the methane produced was highly deuterized, while the residual ethane was only slightly deuterized. Propane and butane were also considerably deuterized. It is concluded:(a) That rapid exchange of methyl radicals and deuterium atoms occurs, as previously suggested by Morikawa, Benedict, and Taylor;(b) That ethyl radicals are rapidly exchanged in a similar way;(c) That the reactions[Formula: see text]and[Formula: see text]do not occur to any great extent, and hence the low quantum yield of the reaction cannot be ascribed to re-formation of ethane.