THE PYROLYSIS OF TRIMETHYL GALLIUM

Abstract

The pyrolysis of trimethyl gallium has been studied in a toluene carrier flow system from 686° K to 983° K using total pressures from 6.1 mm to 31.1 mm. The progress of the reaction was followed by measuring the amount of methane, ethane, and ethylene formed. The rate constants decline rapidly if the toluene-to-alkyl ratio is decreased below 45. Part of this decrease has been shown to result from the loss of methyl radicals as ethylbenzene, propane, propylene, and xylenes. In an unseasoned vessel, the decomposition is markedly dependent on surface conditions. In the unpacked conditioned vessel, the reaction is 94% homogeneous in the first bond region and 97% homogeneous in the second bond region.The decomposition occurs in two steps:[Formula: see text]The analysis of a black solid from the reaction zone is consistent with the formation of (GaCH 3 ) n . Both rate constants depend on the total pressure in the system, the dependence of k 1 being very slight. A least-squares analysis of the experimental results gives:[Formula: see text]