Radiolysis of Methane

The radiolysis of CD4, as well as of equimolar CH4+CD4 mixtures, has been investigated in the presence of C3H8, C4H10, C6H6, C2H4, argon, krypton, and xenon. The results obtained from the radiolysis of CD4–C3H8–I2 and CD4–C4H10–I2 mixtures indicate that ethyl ions and sec-propyl ions are produced. GC2D5+≧1.0, Gsec−C3D7+≧0.06.The radiolysis of methane in the presence of C2H4 and C6H6 provided evidence for the occurrence of the process: CH4*→CH2+H2.The G value of this process is approximately equal to unity. An analysis of the ethanes produced in the radiolysis of equimolar CH4—CD4 mixtures in the presence and absence of ethylene provided evidence for the production of methylene radicals in both the gas phase and the liquid phase.