The Rate of Reaction of Active Nitrogen With Ammonia and Ethylene

The rate constants for the reactions of C 2 H 4 and NH 3 are determined by termination of the reactions in the gas phase after different times of reaction. The average value for the rate constant of the N atom–C 2 H 4 reaction at 150 °C is 1.8 × 10 10 cc mole −1 sec −1 , when the initial N-atom concentration is determined from the maximum production of HCN. The average value for the rate constant for the over-all reaction of NH 3 with excited nitrogen molecules, at 104 °C in the "poisoned" system, and 83 °C in the "unpoisoned" system, for low initial flow rates of NH 3 , or short reaction time, is 2.2 × 10 10 cc mole −1 sec −1 . The decrease in value of this rate constant at higher initial flow rates of NH 3 and longer reaction times in the "poisoned" system indicates that the species responsible for NH 3 decomposition is generated during the decay of N atoms in the presence of NH 3 . The value for the NH 3 reaction is discussed in terms of energy transfer.