Reactions of hydrogen atoms from an electric discharge at atmospheric pressure

Abstract

Hydrogen atoms produced by a microwave discharge through argon + hydrogen mixtures at atmospheric pressure have been reacted with liquids by bubbling the discharge products through them. Yields of hydrogen atoms were measured by reduction of 10^–3 M ferricyanide solutions. Hydrogen atoms are efficient initiators for the polymerization of liquid styrene at –20°C. The molecular weight of the polystyrene formed is low (2500) due to chain termination by hydrogen atoms.