PHOTOSENSITIZED REACTION OF Hg(3P) ATOMS WITH THE DICHLOROETHENES IN KRYPTON MATRIX: TRIPLET SURFACE CHEMISTRY

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/j100412a117

The reactions between Hg(³P) atoms with the there dichloroethenes in krypton matrix at 12 K have been studied.In the absence of Hg, matrix photolysis with wavelengths longer than 200 nm gives isomerization as well as, for cis-dichloroethene (c-DCE) and 1,1-dichloroethene (1,1-DCE) but not for trans-dichloroethene (t-DCE), HCl elimination to give ClH.C2HCl.In the presence of Hg atoms and with excitation in the range 246-257 nm, HCl elimination is substantially reduced and, for c-DCE and 1,1-DCE, new products appear.These products are identified as Cl2.C2H2 and chlorovinyl mercuric chlorides, the latter the net result of mercury insertion into a carbon-chloride bond.The insertion product from c-DCE is identified as trans-2-chlorovinyl mercuric chloride and that from 1,1-DCE is probably 1-chlorovinyl mercuric chloride.The results indicate that in the krypton matrix, Hg(³P)-initiated chemistry takes place on a triplet surface that is not accessed with higher energy, singlet excitation.Furthermore, the absence of Cl2 elimination or insertion chemistry for t-DCE indicates that the role of Hg(³P) is not merely energy transfer but, instead, one that opens reaction channels not observed without Hg(³P).