PHOTOLYSIS OF ETHYL CHLOROACETATE IN LIQUID PHASE AT 2537 A°R

— Results on the photolysis of ethyl chloroacetate, CICH 2 COOC 2 H 5 , at A°≅ 254 nm in liquid phase are presented. GLC and i.r. methods revealed as products: hydrogen chloride and ethyl acetate; in smaller quantities–ethyl succinate and ethyl oxalate; in traces–ethyl malonate, CO 2 , CO and CH 3 CI; yet other, unidentified products with higher boiling points. Quantum yields are determined for some products. Similar studies were performed in the presence of I 2 as a radical scavenger. In the present case, ethyl iodoacetate I – CH 2 COOC 2 H 5 was found to arise in the system. The following primary process may be written on the basis of the experimental data: CICH 2 COOC 2 H 5 ← CI + CH 2 COOC 2 H 5 Attempts to explain the production of these compounds are based mainly on the properties of the CH 2 COOC 2 H 5 radical.