The Mercury Photosensitized Reactions of Ethylene Oxide

Abstract

The reactions of ethylene oxide with Hg(³P₁) atoms have been investigated at 25°C at pressures between 10‐ and 600‐mm Hg, and at 200°C and 300°C at 100‐mm Hg. The principal products are H₂, CO, CH₃CHO and a polymer; smaller amounts of CH₄, C₂ hydrocarbons and formaldehyde are also formed. The nature of the products and the very small effect of pressure on the reaction are best explained by a mechanism based principally on the formation of the activated ethylene oxide molecule, with a minor portion of the reaction proceeding via a C–H split.