Photolysis of azomethane–propane mixtures. Arrhenius parameters for the hydrogen abstraction reactions of methyl with azomethane and with propane

Mixtures of up to 14% azomethane in propane have been photolyzed using mainly 366 nm radiation in the ranges of 323–453 K and 25–200 torr. Detailed measurements were made of the yields of nitrogen, methane, and ethane. Other products observed were isobutane, n-butane, ethene, and propene. A detailed mechanism is proposed and shown to account for the observed variation of product yields with experimental conditions. The quantum yield of the molecular process is found to be given by the temperature-independent equation The values of rate constants obtained are where the reactions are and it is assumed that the rate constant for the reaction is given by