Southern Methodist University Radiocarbon Date List I

Abstract

The SMU Radiocarbon Laboratory is operated by the Department of Geological Sciences within the Institute for the Study of Earth and Man. One laboratory room contains the benzene synthesis system where samples are pretreated and converted to CO 2 in a standard way and gas is purified after the procedures of Broecker (1957) by passage through hot CuO, 10% AgNO 3 solution, chromic acid, hot copper, and P 2 O 5 via cryogenic pumping with liquid nitrogen. Purified CO 2 is then converted to Li 2 C 2 which is hydrolized to C 2 H 2 and converted to C 6 H 6 catalytically following the procedures of Noakes et al (1966). Carbon dioxide and benzene yields are routinely in excess of 90% in both cases.