Photochemistry of the System Ketene‐NO‐H2

Abstract

AbstractNitric oxide has been found to react rapidly with singlet methylene produced by the photolysis of ketene and possibly also with excited ketene, judging from the ratios ethylene produced/ketene reacted. The presence of nitric oxide prevented the formation of methane and ethane when ketene‐NO‐H2 mixtures were irradiated at room temperature or 200 °C. The products resulting from the presence of nitric oxide were all of low molecular weight, judging from the mass spectra. Eight products were separated using gas chromatography and their mass and infrared spectra determined. Only one, hydrogen cyanide, was definitely identified.