The Mercury Photosensitized Reactions of Ethylene at High Temperatures

The mercury (3P1) photosensitized reactions of ethylene have been investigated over the temperature range 25°C to 350°C. In addition to those previously found at 25°C, the reaction Hg(3P1)+C2H4=C2H3+H+Hg(1S0) is shown to occur. There was a considerable increase in the quantum yield at high temperatures and this is attributed to the hydrogen atom and vinyl radical sensitized polymerization of ethylene. The reactions of ethylene with Na(2P), Cd(3P1), Zn(3P1), Hg(3P1), Cd(1P1), and Zn(1P1) atoms are summarized and the latter three are shown to be closely related.