Effect of temperature on the Hg6(3P1) photosensitized decomposition of propane

Abstract

The relative yields of n-propyl and isopropyl radicals from the primary step of the Hg6(3P1) photosensitization of propane have been measured as a function of temperature between 0 and 202 °C. The ratio of n-propyl to isopropyl yield increases with increasing temperature according to the equation[Formula: see text]The primary yields of the propyl radicals were determined from the measured yields of the hexane and pentane products in ethylene scavenging experiments and from the yields of the isomeric hexane products in pure propane, after making proper allowance in the kinetics for all secondary reactions.