Kinetics of the heterogeneous decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl

The decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl at pressures between one and 400 Torr was studied from 120° to 300°C. Up to about 200°C. the rate was primarily limited by surface kinetics of adsorbed carbonyl. Gas phase diffusional resistances were controlling at higher temperatures. In the kinetically controlled region the deposition rate was correlated by a Langmuir type of equation. Corrections for diffusion resistances in the kinetic region and kinetic resistances in the diffusion region were found to be appreciable.