The Reaction of Hydrogen Atoms with Acetone

Abstract
The reaction of hydrogen atoms with acetone vapor has been investigated by means of the Wood-Bonhoeffer technique at room temperature. The sole reaction products under these conditions are methane and carbon monoxide. A deuterium exchange experiment showed that the methane product is almost completely deuterized, while undecomposed acetone is exchanged to the extent of 4.1 atom percent. A reaction series has been devised which satisfactorily explains the experimental facts. The activation energy of 9 kcal. found for the over-all process has been assigned to the proposed initiatory step: H+CH3COCH3→H2+CH3COCH2.