The mercury 6 [raised 1]P[lowered 1] photosensitized decomposition of carbon dioxide

A stable optical transmittance filter which removes 2537A radiation from a mercury arc while transmitting the 1849A radiation was developed and applied in performing the mercury 6 [raised 1]P[lowered 1] photosensitization of carbon dioxide. The products of this reaction were found to be carbon monoxide, mercuric oxide, and mercuric oxalate. The kinetics of the reaction indicate the formation of a complex between mercury 6 [raised 1]P[lowered 1] and carbon dioxide. The complex may either decay to HgO and CO or may decay to a metastable triplet state which combines with carbon dioxide to form the oxalate. The oxalate partially decomposes photolytically during the reaction yielding the reactants carbon dioxide and mercury.