Oxidation of Ethylene by the Photolysis of NO2 at 25°C

Abstract

Ethylene was irradiated at 3660 Å in the presence of NO2 at 25°C. Quantum yields were determined as a function of ethylene pressure, NO2 pressure, and the total pressure (using N2). The quantum yields for NO2 dissociation increased as a function of (C2H4) and approached a value greater than 2. The main features of the proposed mechanism are the addition of oxygen atoms to ethylene producing an energy-rich intermediate which dissociates into CH3 and CHO. This is followed by rapid reaction of the radicals with NO2 to produce the stable products.