Resumen de Photochemistry of Chloropicrin. A Physical Chemistry Project
T. P. Clemes, K. A. Singmaster, E. A. Wade
Chloropicrin is an important agricultural fumigant. It is unusual in that its only major removal pathway in the environment is through photodegradation. In this experiment, students will use FTIR spectroscopy to monitor the kinetics of the photolysis of chloropicrin by an Hg arc lamp, both with and without oxygen. They will then be able to determine the mechanism of the photolytic reaction. Chloropicrin initially photodissociates to produce Cl3C and NO2 radicals. These radicals recombine to produce Cl2CO (phosgene) and NOCl. If oxygen is present, the Cl3C radical will react with oxygen first, and NOCl will be produced later.
