KINETICS OF THE THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF DIMETHYLCADMIUM

Rate constants of the thermal decomposition of dimethylcadmium are measured in shock waves at 1000-1250 K and [M] = 2.5 x 10(-6)-2.5 x 10(-5) mole/cm. The limiting step in the process is the rupture of the first Cd-C bond. From a comparison with calculations according to the RRKM theory, an expression is obtained for the rate constant of the homogeneous, thermal decomposition of Cd(CH3)2 in the limit of low and high pressures.