Slow gas-phase oxidation of ethylal with C-14 as a tracer

Abstract

The slow gas-phase oxidation of ethylal was investigated at low temperatures (160–190°C) by the static method. The main products were carbon oxides, water, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, ethanol and ethyl formate with some methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, n-butane, ethylene and peroxides. Three different ethylal samples labelled with C-14 in each one of its three different positions, respectively, have been synthesized; their oxidation has been studied and the reaction products analysed by radiochromatography. A mechanism is suggested where the branching intermediates are hydroperoxides derived from ethylal.