Hg(6[raised 1]P[lowered 1]) photosensitized reactions of ethylene

An experimental system for the study of Hg(6[raised 1]P[lowered 1]) photosensitized reactions was developed. Ethylene decomposition was carried out over a pressure range from 10 to 130 torr with illumination times of ten and twenty minutes. Major products found were C[lowered 2]H[lowered 2], H[lowered 2], n-C[lowered 4]H[lowered 10], C[lowered 2]H[lowered 6], 1-C[lowered 4]H[lowered 8], C[lowered 3]H[lowered 8], and C[lowered 3]H[lowered 6]. No methane was observed. Decrease in product yields at higher ethylene pressures indicated that an excited state of ethylene was formed prior to decomposition. On the basis of earlier studies and the observed product distributions it was concluded that three major primary processes occurred:...