The Mercury Photosensitized Reactions of Ethane

Abstract

The effect of pressure on the initial stages of the mercury photosensitized reactions of ethane has been investigated at room temperature. The production of methane increases with decreasing ethane pressure and is inhibited by the presence of molybdenum oxide. It has been shown that hydrogen atoms are produced in the initial stages of the reaction. It is concluded that the initial step is a C–H split and that an active ethane molecule is not formed. The dependence of quantum yields on pressure indicates that the initial step is about 100 percent effective and that inefficiency is caused by recombination of H and C₂H₅ resulting in the formation of ethane at high pressures by deactivation, and in the formation of methyl radicals at lower pressures.