Radiolysis of chloroalkanes: 1,2-dichloroethane

The stable products of radiolysis of 1,2-dichloroethane (12DCE) gamma-irradiated in an oxygen-free atmosphere were investigated. The pure products of radiolysis were separated by preparative gas chromatography and identified by H-1, C-13 NMR and mass spectroscopy as well as quantitative gas chromatography. In the gas phase we have obtained H-2 and HCl; in the liquid phase: chloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,2,4-trichlorobutane and 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobutanes (dl-and meso-: [2R,3R] or [2S,3S] and [2R,3S]-isomers). On the basis of the results obtained a preliminary scheme for the formation of the stable products is proposed.