Promotion by SF6 of a Radiolytically Induced Chain Reaction for the Geometrical Isomerization of cis or trans-Butene-2 in Dilute Gaseous Mixtures
FOR several years SF6 has been used in radiolytic studies because of its high cross-section for capture of low-energy electrons and consequent effect on observable products resulting from positive-ion neutralization reactions. A reduced yield of H2 from irradiated propane has been reported1 and attributed to electron scavenging by the small proportions of SF6 present. On the other hand, SF6 does not affect the H2 yield from irradiated liquid unsaturates such as trans-butene-2 (ref. 2), indicating that ionic species may not be important with respect to H2 formation from these olefines.
Nitrous Oxide as a Scavenger for Electrons in the Radiolysis of Propane
RECENT investigations of the radiation chemistry of liquid hydrocarbons indicate that in these systems N2O reacts rapidly with electrons but relatively slowly with hydrogen atoms1. We have investigated the effect of N2O in the radiolysis of propane gas and the results obtained have led to information about the mechanism of hydrogen formation.
RADIOLYSIS OF n-BUTENES1
The radiolyses of 1-butene, cis-2-butene, and trans-2butene with gamma rays were studied in gas and liquid phases, at -78 deg C and room temperature. In all cases, the major products were the C/sub 8/ hydrocarbons, the saturated monomer, the geometric isomer (trans- from cis-2-butene), the double-bond isomer (1-butene from 2-butene), hydrogen, and unidentified high polymers. Small amounts of C/sub 2/, C/sub 3/, C/sub 5/, C/sub 6/, and C/sub 7/ hydrocarbons were also formed. The C/sub 8/ hydrocarbons produced were examined for carbon skeleton and extent of unsaturation. Comparison of the results with l-hexene radiolysis led to the conclusion that the ionmolecule mechanism previously proposed is applicable. (auth)