| Abstract: | We develop a kinetic model for the exchange of tritium and deuteriumbetween tritium-containing heavy water and deuterated chloroform in a two-phase liquid system, catalyzed by hydroxide ion (sodium hydroxide). For the exchange reaction yielding tritiated chloroform andheavy water, the measured equilibrium constant is 0.518 at 25–45°C, independent of temperature. The rate constant (for the controlling step, deuteron abstraction from chloroform) is 0.22 L/mol s at 25°C, 0.72 at 35°C, and 2.0 at 45°C, corresponding to an activation energy of 87 kJ/mol. Comparison is made with literature data, and effects of mass transfer on the apparent rate constant are discussed. |
