The Mercury Photosensitized Hydrogenation of Propylene

Abstract

The mercury photosensitized hydrogenation of propylene has been investigated at 30°, 110°, and 200°, using an 8/1 ratio of hydrogen to propylene. The hydrocarbon products were analyzed with a mass spectrometer. The occurrence of 2,3‐dimethylbutane as the principal C₆ product indicates that a hydrogen atom adds preferentially to the terminal carbon atom of propylene to form the isopropyl radical. Analyses of the C₆ and C₉ products suggests that the isopropyl radical adds preferentially to the middle carbon atom of propylene.