Open AccessThe homogeneous catalysis of gaseous reactions.—The catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide by halogens
Publication year - 1932
Publication title -
proceedings of the royal society of london. series a, containing papers of a mathematical and physical character
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2053-9150
pISSN - 0950-1207
DOI - 10.1098/rspa.1932.0118
Subject(s) - halogen , nitrous oxide , catalysis , decomposition , chemistry , bromine , chlorine , oxide , inorganic chemistry , thermal decomposition , nitrogen , oxygen , photochemistry , organic chemistry , alkyl
It was recently discovered that iodine exerts a pronounced catalytic influence on the thermal decomposition of nitrous oxide. Bromine and chlorine have now been found to have similar effects. The reactions are of the first order with respect to the nitrous oxide and there appears to be little doubt that decomposition into a nitrogen molecule and an oxygen atom occurs under the influence of the halogen. The balance of evidence is in favour of the hypothesis that the effective catalyst is the free halogen atom. Whether the oxygen atom from the nitrous oxide remains attached to the halogen for a finite time cannot be definitely stated.