The effect of reactant purity on the radiolysis of gaseous ethane and propane

The yields of products formed in the recombination of free radicals in the radiolysis of gaseous ethane and propane have been determined. The yields of butane from ethane radiolysis, and of 2, 3-dimethylbutane from propane radiolysis were found to be much lower than those reported in the literature.The yields of these products increased markedly in the presence of the traces of water, either desorbed from the walls or introduced with insufficiently dried reagents. The details of experimental procedures warranting the total elimination of water are given.