The reaction of O(3P) with C2HCl3

The reaction of O(³P), prepared from the Hg photosensitization of N₂O, with C₂HCl₃ was studied at 25°C. The products of the reaction in the absence of O₂ were CO, CHCl₃, and polymer (as well as N₂ from the N₂O). The quantum yields of CO and CHCl₃ were 0.23 ± 0.01 and 0.14 ± 0.05, is respectively independent of reaction conditions. The reaction mechanism is with k_14a/k₁₄ = 0.23, where k_14a + k_14b. Most of the HCl and CCl₂ combine to form CHCl₃, but some other products must also be formed to account for the difference in the CO and CHCl₃ quantum yields. The C₂HCl₃O* adduct polymerizes without involving additional C₂HCl₃ molecules, since the quantum yield of C₂HCl₃ disappearance, ? Φ{C₂HCl₃}, was about 1.0 at high values of [N₂O]/[C₂HCl₃]. The rate coefficient for the reaction of O(³P) with C₂HCl₃ is 0.10 that for the reaction of O(³P) with C₂F₄. In the presence of O₂ the free radical chain oxidation occurs because of the reaction The main product is CHCl₂CCl(O) with smaller amounts of CO and CCl₂O, and some CO₂. The chain lengths were long and values of ? Φ {C₂HCl₃} up to 90 were observed.