Traveling waves of cryochemical reactions in radiolyzed systems

In studying the mechanism of chemical reactions occurring in the vicinity o f absolute zero temperature, a new phenomenon, the oscillating self-propaga tion of chemical transformation, was observed. Under local brittle fracture of a sufficiently large reactant sample preradiolyzed at an epicritical ra diation dose, a chemical reaction starts again on newly formed surfaces. Te mperature or density gradients created in the course of the reaction result in further layer-by-layer dispersion of the solid sample. Owing to this po sitive feedback, the autowave of chemical transformation propagates through out the sample. Such an oscillating mode of conversion is observed for a va riety of chain chemical reactions: chlorinating of hydrocarbons, hydrobromi nation of olefins, and polymerization at 4-77 K. Further research in this a rea may lead to development of radically new technologies for syntheses of methane, ammonia, etc.