EXCITED STATES OF ACETYLENE AND THEIR ROLE IN PYROLYSIS
Previous theories of acetylene pyrolysis are reviewed in the light of recent work by Minkoff, Newitt, and Rutledge. It is shown that the relatively large rates observed at the beginning of the induction period do not agree with mechanisms involving the intervention of comparatively stable dimers. The required kinetic form is obtained, however, if a triplet diradical is produced on the surface in a bimolecular process, followed by gas phase polymerization, with some chain ending on the surface. The detailed mechanism closely resembles Flory's scheme for liquid phase vinyl polymerization. The shape of the radical is discussed, and it is suggested that the trans-configuration leads to polymerization, while the cis facilitates dehydrogenation.