The Reactions of Electronically Excited Nitric Oxide Molecules With Hydrocarbons

The reactions of NO(4II) molecules, generated by Hg 6(3P1) photosensitization, with methane, ethane, propane, neopentane, and benzene have been studied at room temperature in a circulatory system. In the case of ethane the following reaction products were identified: N2, N2O, H2O, NO2, CO, CO2, C2H4, acetaldehyde, nitroethane, ethyl nitrite, ethyl nitrate, nitroethylene, nitromethane, methyl nitrite, methyl nitrate, formaldehyde. For hydrocarbon consumption, under comparable conditions, the following quantum yield values were established: [Formula: see text]. The most probable primary process may be represented by the sequence[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]Alkyl free radicals catalyze the chain disproportionation of nitric oxide at room temperature according to the stoichiometric equation[Formula: see text]A minimal value of 12 was established for the average chain length.