Mercury Photosensitized Reactions of Propane

Abstract

An investigation has been made of the mercury photosensitized reactions of propane, alone and in the presence of hydrogen at temperatures from 25 to 323°C. The products of the reaction are predominantly hydrogen, hexanes (mainly 2,3‐di‐Me‐butane and 2‐Me‐pentane), and a small amount of higher paraffins. The postulated mechanism is: Hg ( 3 P 1 )+ C 3 H 8 → Hg ( 1 S 0 )+ C 3 H 7 + H Hg ( 3 P 1 )+ H 2 → Hg ( 1 S 0 )+2 H H + C 3 H 8 → C 3 H 7 + H 2 2 C 3 H 7 → C 6 H 14 2 H → H 2 C 3 H 7 + C 3 H 8 → C 6 H 14 + H . The quantum yield of hydrogen is approximately 0.15 at 25°C and rises somewhat with increasing temperature.