Chemiluminescence of Ethylene Formed Probably from Methylene in an Inert Matrix

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Abstract
An orange-red luminescence occurs when diazomethane suspended in solid nitrogen or solid argon is photolyzed and then warmed to permit diffusion. Spectrographic and visual studies of this thermoluminescence are reported here. Conditions favorable for the production of the luminescence also result in relatively high yields of ethylene as a final product. Furthermore, a deuteration effect is observed. For CH2N2 the recorded spectrum consists of a distinct feature at 6030 A and an extremely weak feature near 6530 A. Deuterated diazomethane produces a spectrum with two distinct features at 6055 and 6405 A, and one or more weaker absorptions between 6700 and 6800 A. The emission is assigned to chemiluminescence of ethylene and a tentative interpretation is given in terms of two excited states of ethylene (Z→V).