SHOCK-WAVE STUDY OF THE THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF BENZYL ALCOHOL

The thermal decomposition of benzyl alcohol was investigated in shock waves over the temperature range 1200-1600 K, monitoring benzyl and OH radical concentrations by UV absorption spectroscopy. A limiting high -pressure rate constant of the primary dissociation of k(l,infinity) = 10((16.0+/-0.1)) exp (-345 kJ mol(-1)/RT)s(-1) was derived. By invest igating the dissociation equilibrium, a limiting high-pressure rate co nstant for the reverse recombination of k(-l,infinity) = 5.10(13) cm(3 ) mol(-1) s(-1) and an equilibrium constant K-c = 10(2.3)exp(-345 W mo l(-1)/RT)mol cm(-3) were also determined. Falloff curves of the reacti on as well as a comparison between thermal and laser excitation result s for the dissociation were based on unimolecular rate theory.