Kinetic Theory Analysis of the Reaction of Hot Hydrogen Atoms with Propane, Butane, and Butene-1

The kinetic theory of hot reaction has been applied to results on the reaction of hot hydrogen atoms with propane, with butane, and with butene-1. Recoil tritium, generated by the 3He(n, p)T process served as the source of hot hydrogen. Yields of hot abstraction, displacement, and addition processes were measured by radio gas chromatography. Scavengers were used to suppress interfering thermal processes. Runs were made covering a wide range of moderation of the hot hydrogen by helium. A complete analysis of the data and the use of appropriate internal consistency checks, shows that within experimental error the kinetic theory provides a satisfactory description of the system. Its application serves to express the data in terms of ``reactivity integrals'', I, and collisional energy loss parameters α. In accordance with previous expectations, the magnitudes of these quantities indicate that hot atom collisions are highly inelastic and have a high probability of leading to reaction.