Slow combustion of diethyl ketone

Abstract

The slow combustion of diethyl ketone has been studied. The reaction proceeds by one mechanism below about 300°C, and another above about 370°C. Between these temperatures is a transition region in which the rate of reaction decreases with increasing temperature. The products of reaction are different in the two regimes. At high temperatures, the products include carbon monoxide, ethylene, water and formaldehyde, whereas at low temperatures ethyl hydroperoxide and carbon dioxide are formed, together with carbon monoxide, methanol, formaldehyde and water. Free radical chain reaction schemes, with degenerate branching, are proposed. At low temperatures the branching agent is ethyl hydroperoxide, while at high temperatures branching is brought about by formaldehyde.