ION-MOLECULE REACTIONS DURING THE GAS-PHASE GAMMA-RADIOLYSIS OF METHYL-FLUORIDE

The yields of the products formed in ion-molecule reactions during the gas-phase γ-radiolysis of methyl fluoride were determined as functions of total pressure with and without ammonia, and in the presence of oxygen added as a thermal radical scavenger. CH4 and C2H5F were formed in (CH3F + O2) systems, and CH4, C2H5F, CH3NH2, and C2H5NH2 in (CH3F + O2 + NH3) systems. At the highest investigated pressure (660 torr) only methane and methane and methylamine were formed in the two systems, and CH3NH2 (G = 7.40) was the most abundant product. The presence of a good methylating agent and the observed dependence of G values on total pressure supported the formation of the dimethylfluoronium ion as excited and thermal intermediate. © 1979 American Chemical Society.