The Mercury Photosensitized Decomposition of Ethane

Abstract

An investigation of the mercury photosensitized decomposition of ethane has been made, the products of the reaction being analyzed by low temperature fractional distillation. It is found that by improved trapping methods it is possible to remove butane from the system as formed, and thus the formation of secondary products is entirely inhibited. Under these circumstances the products of the reaction consist exclusively of methane,propane, and butane, the hydrogen and higher hydrocarbons found in previous investigations being secondary products of the propane and butane decompositions. The quantum yield (in terms of ethane disappearing) is approximately 0.2. The suggested mechanism of the reaction is: C 2 H 6 + Hg (2 3 P 1 )=2 CH 3 + Hg (1 1 S 0 ) CH 3 + C 2 H 6 = CH 4 + C 2 H 5 2 CH 3 = C 2 H 6 2 C 2 H 5 = C 4 H 10 CH 3 + C 2 H 5 = C 3 H 8 .