Organic Reactions in Gaseous Electrical Discharge I. Normal Paraffin Hydrocarbons

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Abstract
An apparatus is described for subjecting vapors to an electrical discharge. Vapor pressure and current are variable. Different fractions of the gaseous reaction products can be collected and their rates of accumulation measured. A study of n-decane vapor with this apparatus, with current values of from 0.5 to 2.5 m.a., voltage approxi mately 450 volts, and pressures from 0.2 to 4.5 mm of mercury, indicates that electric conduction in gases may follow an electrochemical equivalence law similar to Faraday's law of electrolytic conduction in liquids. Evidence has been obtained showing the amount of reaction to be proportional to the current, and independent of voltage and vapor pressure. Among the reaction products is a wax-like substance which deposits on the cathode only. The rate of production of gaseous reaction products has been measured for various values of discharge currents and vapor pressure. Curves and tables are given showing the relation between molecular size and rate of production of various fractions of the gaseous reaction products, for a series of seven normal paraffin hydrocarbons. A brief theoretical discussion is given.

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