The kinetics and chemistry of the interaction of alkyl radicals. I. The disproportionation and combination of ethyl radicals

Abstract The combination and disproportionation of ethyl radicals has been studied over a range of pressures and under various conditions designed to separate the various reaction mechanisms which can occur. It is shown that in addition to the normal two-body reaction, a three-body reaction is important at high pressures, while at low pressures wall reactions become prominent. An interesting feature is the effect on the combination/disproportionation ratio of radicals formed with excess energy which retain that excess long enough so that the subsequent reactions are modified. It is suggested that these alternative reaction mechanisms are responsible for the variety of results reported in the literature for the products of reaction of ethyl radicals.