Cryogenic photolysis studies. Part 1.—Iodoalkanes

Abstract

The photolysis of the C₁ to C₄ iodoalkanes in the solid phase and in argon matrices at 20 K has been investigated by a combination of infra-red spectroscopic examination of the frozen solid, and gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of the final products. The initial photolytic step for iodoethane, the iodopropanes and the iodobutanes leads to production of the alkene–hydrogen iodide complex in dilute matrices, but to a mixture of alkene–hydrogen iodide and iodoalkane–hydrogen iodide complexes in the solid iodoalkane. Secondary photolysis products result from the reaction of hydrogen atoms, produced by the photolysis of hydrogen iodide, with iodoalkane molecules.