Dehydrochlorination of 1,2-dichloropropane by CO2 laser-induced breakdown;Comparison with thermal elimination

Dehydrochlorination of 1,2-dichloropropane (DCP) was conducted by thermal e limination and CO2 laser-induced dielectric breakdown, which was induced by focusing the 10.6 mu m lines of a CO2 TEA laser. Thermal dehydrochlorinati on proceeded by a four-centered mechanism at > 425 degrees C and by a surfa ce-catalyzed radical process at < 400 degrees C. The product distribution o f the breakdown-induced reaction at < 400 degrees C resembled that of high temperature thermal elimination and the corresponding temperature was estim ated to be > 2000 degrees C.