Vacuum-ultraviolet photolysis of ethylene oxide

Abstract

The photochemical primary processes of ethylene oxide in the vacuum ultraviolet region have been studied with emphasis on the dependence on energy. It has been found that the decomposition into methyl and formyl radicals is the main process while the decomposition into ethylene and oxygen atoms is also important at shorter wavelengths. 1470 Å1744 Å1783 ∼ 1845 ÅC2H4O+ h ν→ CH3+CHO(CO+H)111(I)→ O+C2H4(C2H2+H2)0.70.10.1(II)→ H2+(CH2CO)0.10.1···(III)→ CH3CHO0.2······(IV)→ CH2+HCHO0.2······(V)The formation of excited ethylene in Process (II) which decomposes into acetylene and hydrogen has been suggested.