Temperature dependence of chain initiation in pyrolysis of propane studied by direct mass-spectrometric detection of methyl radicals

Methyl radicals have been detected by direct mass-spectrometric detection of radicals in pyrolysis of propane under stationary conditions at 500 Pa in a flow quartz reactor. The process is shown to be homogeneously initiated, the surface of quartz not affecting the propane dissociation under the conditions employed.