The Effect of Temperature on the Photolysis of Methylamine

Abstract

The photolysis of methylamine has been investigated with the purpose of determining the effect of temperature. To minimize the interference due to polymeric liquid formation, the reaction was studied from −15° to 30°C. The energy of activation of amine disappearance was found to be 6 kcal, a minimum value, but which is probably caused by the effect of temperature on the light absorption. The possibility of ethylene diamine as an intermediate undergoing further decomposition or a polymerization†ï¿½condensation reaction evolving ammonia is considered. The rates of hydrogen and ammonia production show previously postulated mechanisms to be untenable. © 1951, American Institute of Physics. All rights reserved.