CW CO 2 Laser Induced Chemical Reactions

Abstract

ABSTRACT CW C02 laser driven reactions between sulfur hexafluoride and carbon oxide, carbon sub- oxide, carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide proceed at subatmospheric pressures and yield fluorinated carbon compounds and sulfur tetrafluoride. CW C02 laser driven reactions of or­ ganic compounds in the presence of energy-conveying sulfur hexafluoride show reaction course different from that normally observed due to elimination of reactor hot surface effects. The examples concern the decomposition of polychlorohydrocarbons, 2-nitropropane, tert.-butyl- amine, allyl chloride, spirohexane, isobornyl acetate and the oxidation of haloolefins. CW C02 laser induced fragmentation of 1-methyl-l-silacyclobutanes and 4-silaspiro(3.4)octane in the presence of sulfur hexafluoride is an effective way for preparation and deposition of stable organosilicon polymers. 1. INTRODUCTION There is continuing effort in using infrared lasers for inducing unique chemical reac­ tions. While the main attention is given to studies in which chemical changes are initiated by short pulses of radiation, chemical reactions induced by continuous-wave lasers represent only lesser part of the research field^^.It is the purpose of this paper to show the potential of the technique of continuous-wave C02 laser driven thermal reactions5 for inducing novel reaction pathways in gas-phase che­ mistry and stress an unequaled position of sulfur hexafluoride that can serve as both the reagent and energy-conveying agent. The paper is divided into three sections, namely laser- -induced reactions of sulfur hexafluoride, thermal homogeneous reactions of some organic compounds and preparation of organosilicon polymers.