Halogen Catalyzed Decomposition of Nitrous Oxide

Abstract

The thermal decomposition of N₂O in the presence of added Cl₂, Br₂, I₂, and C₂H₅I was studied over the temperature range 876 to 1031°K. The catalytic reaction was found to be first order in N₂O and in atomic halogen concentration. The rate constants are in the order Cl>Br>I. Activation energies of 33.5, 37, and 38 kcal and pre‐exponential factors of 1.3, 2.0, and 2.8×10¹⁴ cc mole⁻¹ sec⁻¹ were found for the Cl, Br, and I reaction. A probable mechanism is discussed and qualitative evidence provided for a high rate constant for the dissociation of Cl₂, analogous to reported values for Br₂ and I₂.