The mercury photosensitized exchange reaction of deuterium and phosphine

Abstract

In principle, the investigation of exchange reactions of deuterium atoms with hydrides is a simple problem. In practice, however, numerous difficulties arise in the experimental technique, and thus the method chosen for the study of any individual hydride must have regard to its chemical and physical properties. Now that a number of methods exist for investigating such reactions, it becomes of interest to attempt to find how such variables as the energy of activation and steric factor vary among the lower hydrides of the periodic system. The present paper deals with the kinetics of the exchange reactions involving phosphine and trideuterophosphine. A static system was deemed most suitable for the present purpose, the atomic hydrogen being produced photo chemically in the usual way.