The Mercury Photosensitized Reactions of Neopentane

The mercury photosensitized reactions of neopentane have been investigated at pressures between 50 and 400 mm. of mercury and between 25° and 200 °C., in the presence and absence of hydrogen. The products are largely hydrogen and dineopentyl. The quantum yield of hydrogen production is 0.004 at room temperature and has a positive temperature coefficient corresponding to E = 4.3 kcal.mole−1. The facts are consistent with the reactions:—[Formula: see text]as the initial step. The majority of the reaction goes by (b), and the active molecules produced, C5H12*, are nearly all deactivated.