The Reaction of Atomic Hydrogen with Acetylene

Abstract

The thermal dissociation of hydrogen on hot tungsten filaments has been used in the investigation of the reaction of atomic hydrogen with acetylene. A quantitative method has been developed for the detection of atomic hydrogen at pressures of the order of 10⁻³ mm. The catalytic effect of acetylene on the recombination of atomic hydrogen has been studied and the rate constant of the rate‐determining step calculated to be 8.6×10⁻¹⁴ molecules⁻¹ cm³ sec.⁻¹ at 25°C. In contrast with results obtained by the discharge tube method, small amounts of hydrogenated products are formed.