PHOTOLYSIS OF ETHYL CHLOROACETATE IN LIQUID PHASE AT 2537 A°R

Abstract— Results on the photolysis of ethyl chloroacetate, CICH₂COOC₂H₅, at A°≅ 254 nm in liquid phase are presented. GLC and i.r. methods revealed as products: hydrogen chloride and ethyl acetate; in smaller quantities–ethyl succinate and ethyl oxalate; in traces–ethyl malonate, CO₂, CO and CH₃CI; yet other, unidentified products with higher boiling points. Quantum yields are determined for some products. Similar studies were performed in the presence of I₂ as a radical scavenger. In the present case, ethyl iodoacetate I – CH₂COOC₂H₅ was found to arise in the system. The following primary process may be written on the basis of the experimental data:
CICH₂COOC₂H₅← CI + CH₂COOC₂H₅
Attempts to explain the production of these compounds are based mainly on the properties of the CH₂COOC₂H₅ radical.