PHOTOLYSIS OF TETRAHYDROFURAN IN GAS PHASE

The photolysis of tetrahydrofuran was carried out in the pressure range 10-165 mm and at temperatures 30-120°. The main products detected were carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, ethane, ethylene, propylene, cyclopropane, propane, and formaldehyde. These products were postulated to have been formed via the intermediate formation of a diradical which was generated as a result of the rupture of a relatively weak carbon-oxygen bond in tetrahydrofuran. The product distribution as a function of pressure indicated the existence of vibrationally excited cyclopropane with an average lifetime of 10−7 sec. The RRMK theory of unimolecular reaction was used to estimate the excess vibrational energy of cyclopropane. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.