The Mercury Photosensitized Reactions of Ethylene at High Temperatures

Abstract

The mercury (³P₁) photosensitized reactions of ethylene have been investigated over the temperature range 25°C to 350°C. In addition to those previously found at 25°C, the reaction Hg(³P₁)+C₂H₄=C₂H₃+H+Hg(¹S₀) is shown to occur. There was a considerable increase in the quantum yield at high temperatures and this is attributed to the hydrogen atom and vinyl radical sensitized polymerization of ethylene. The reactions of ethylene with Na(²P), Cd(³P₁), Zn(³P₁), Hg(³P₁), Cd(¹P₁), and Zn(¹P₁) atoms are summarized and the latter three are shown to be closely related.