Sc. Laroze et al., Identification of reaction intermediates and products in the dehalogenation of trichloroethene on Cu(110), SURF SCI, 435, 1999, pp. 193-198
The decomposition of trichloroethene, C2HCl3, on Cu(110) has been investiga
ted as a function of temperature by RAIRS, HREELS and TPD. This has provide
d a detailed identification of intermediate surface species involved in the
dechlorination reaction. Multilayers form readily at 85 K, desorbing at 14
0 K. A weakly perturbed molecular species exists at 150 K that is converted
, with increasing temperature, to a CCH intermediate at the surface. This e
thynyl intermediate subsequently disproportionates to produce C2H2 and a ca
rbon deposit at the surface. At T>300 K, C2H2 desorption competes with the
trimerisation reaction that leads to benzene evolution at 370 K. CI atoms a
re retained at the surface up to high temperatures. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien
ce B.V. All rights reserved.