Reaction of hydrogen atoms with hydrogen sulphide in the presence of molecular oxygen

Abstract

The reaction of H with H₂S in a discharge flow system yields S atoms; these react rapidly with added molecular oxygen, S + O₂→ SO + O +6 kcal/mole, (1) where k₁=(1.2 ± 0.3)× 10¹² cm³ mole^–1 sec^–1 at 298°K. From measurements of the yields of O and SO, excess atomic hydrogen converts 85 ± 15 % of the hydrogen sulphide to atomic sulphur. When excess O₂ is present, SO is removed by OH formed in the reaction sequence, H + O₂+ M → HO₂+ M (7), H + HO₂→ OH + OH (8b), SO + OH → SO₂+ H. (6) A value of k₆=(7 ± 3)× 10¹³ cm³ mole^–1 sec^–1 at 298°K is obtained by a competitive method.