SONOLYSIS OF CHLOROFORM.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/bbpc.198400048

Chloroform is decomposed by irradiation with ultrasonic waves to yield a large number of products. The major products are various unsaturated compounds. Decomposition occurs only in the presence of a monoatomic- or diatomic gas. Free radicals and carbenes are postulated as intermediates of sonolysis which can only be scavenged by volatile additives such as O//2 or c-hexene. In the presence of 10% c-hexene, the rate of sonolysis of chloroform is increased and various additional products are formed. Pure c-hexene is decomposed at a much lower rate than chloroform. The sonolysis of chloroform proceeds at a rate comparable to that of water.