The catalytic hydrogenation of ethene on the surface of liquid caesium

Abstract

The self-hydrogenation of 3 mol of C 2H 4 at 20 kN m −2 from 363 to 489 K on the surface of a jet of liquid caesium produces 2 mol of C 2H 6. The reaction is first order with activation energy 15.8 kJ mol −1. With an equal volume of HZ, the alkene is 100% catalytically hydrogenated to C 2H 6 by a first-order process with activation energy 45.5 kJ mol −1. Increasing the proportion of H 2 increases the rate of catalysis. A mechanism is suggested for each process.