--%>

What is Flash Photolysis Reactions. Explain with examples.

An example illustrates the type of mechanism that can be written to explain the development of flash photolysis reactions.

Often, as the reactions in the ozone layer of the earth's atmosphere, we are interested in the kinetic behavior of species that are not available as on the shelf chemicals. The rate constants of reactions involving such species as H atoms, O atoms, and OH and HO2 radicals must be known if the dynamics of complex reaction mixtures are to be understood. Rate constant data can sometimes be obtained by generating such species by a high intensity short duration flash of light and then following their subsequent reaction. This approach is known as flash photolysis.

A typical flash used in such studies can generate about 1 mol of produces in the several microsecond duration of the flash. The amount of one or more of the products formed directly or indirectly, is usually determined by measuring the absorption of light at a suitable wavelength. As an illustration of this technique, studies of the formation and reaction of the perhydroxyl radical,H2O are described.

The two reactions are: 

H2O = hv  72_First order reactions1.png OH + H

OH + H2  72_First order reactions1.png H2O + H 

The formation of HO2 radicals by this flash photolysis route and studies of the kinetics of subsequent reactions has been reported. The reaction system contained small amounts of H2Oand O2 and enough H2 to produce a total pressure of 1 atm. The formation of H atoms from the photolysis at water and their attachment to O2 to form HO2 occurred rapidly. Within about 10μs the intermediates, H and OH, were largely consumed. The kinetics of the subsequent reactions ofH2O radicals could then be studied.

The optional transmission at 210 nm, where HO2 absorbs, can be used to follow the decrease of this species. If the reaction that removes HO2 is second order in HO2, the H2O concentration will vary with the time according to:

1/c = 1/ c0 + kt

That the reaction is indeed order is confirmed by the linear relation for 1/ {log (I0 /i)}, which is proportional to 1/c, versus t, as shown in this order and the net product of the reaction, H2O2, suggest that the decay of H2O occurs by the reaction:

HO2 + HO2  72_First order reactions1.png H2O+ O2

The reaction following the initial photolysis process can be changed by changing the reagents in the reaction system.

The principle reaction sequent system then is:

OH + HO2  72_First order reactions1.png H2O + O2

Principal reactions used for the simulation curves:

Reaction Rate constant
OH + H2 72_First order reactions1.png H2O + H 4 × 10L mol-1 s-1
H + O2 H2 72_First order reactions1.png HO2 + H2 2 × 1010 L2 mol-2 s-1
H + O2 + Ar 72_First order reactions1.png HO2 + Ar 6 × 109 L2 mol-2 s-1
H + O2 + H2O 72_First order reactions1.png HO2 + H2O 1.4 × 1011 L2 mol-2 s-1
HO2 + HO2 72_First order reactions1.png H2O2 6 × 109 L mol-1 s-1
OH + HO2 72_First order reactions1.png H2O + O3 1.2 × 1011 L mol-1 s-1

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : What is depression in freezing point?

    Freezing point of a substance is the temperature at which solid and liquid phases of the substance coexist. It is defined as the temperature at which its solid and liquid phases have the same vapour pressure. The freezing point o

  • Q : Problem on molarity-normality-molality

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. The solution ofAl2(SO4)3 d = 1.253gm/m comprise 22% salt by weight. The molarity, normality and molality of the solution is: (1) 0.805 M, 4.83 N, 0.825 M (2)

  • Q : Problem related to molarity Provide

    Provide solution of this question. Increasing the temperature of an aqueous solution will cause: (a) Decrease in molality (b) Decrease in molarity (c) Decrease in mole fraction (d) Decrease in % w/w

  • Q : Molar concentration Choose the right

    Choose the right answer from following. Molar concentration (M) of any solution : a) No. of moles of solute/Volume of solution in litre (b) No. of gram equivalent of solute / volume of solution in litre (c) No. of moles os solute/ Mass of solvent in kg  (

  • Q : Strength of dilute acid of Sulfuric acid

    Select the right answer of the question.10ml of conc.H2SO4 (18 molar) is diluted to 1 litre. The approximate strength of dilute acid could be: (a)0.18 N (b)0.09 N (c) 0.36 N (d)1800 N

  • Q : Moles of chloride ion Select the right

    Select the right answer of the question. A solution of CaCl2 is 0.5 mol litre , then the moles of chloride ion in 500ml will be : (a) 0.25 (b) 0.50 (c) 0.75 (d)1.00

  • Q : Problem on decinormal Select the right

    Select the right answer of the question. How much water is required to dilute 10 ml of 10 N hydrochloric acid to make it exactly decinormal (0.1 N): (a) 990 ml (b) 1000 ml (c) 1010 ml (d) 100 ml

  • Q : Molarity A solution has volume 200ml

    A solution has volume 200ml and molarity 0.1.if it is diluted 5times then calculate the molarity of reasulying solution and the amount of water added to it.

  • Q : Relationship between free energy and

    The free energy of a gas depends on the pressure that confines the gas. The standard free energies of formation, like those allow predictions to be made of the possibility of a reaction at 25°C for each reagent at 

  • Q : P block why BiF3 is ionic whereas other

    why BiF3 is ionic whereas other trihalides are covalent in nature?