REACTIONS OF RECOIL C-11 ATOMS WITH BENZENE

In the recoil system C-11 + C6H6 the two primary products are (CH)-C-1 1 and (C7H6)-C-11. These intermediates are formed by C-11-insertion in a C-H bond and by pi-addition, respectively. The excited - carbenes ( C7H6)-C-11 are produced with a probability of about 70%, and are to a great extent responsible for the formation of polymers. Conspicuously, polymers heavier than tetramers were not observed. Secondary intermed iates (C7H7)-C-11 and (C12H11)-C-11 react with radicals produced in th e spur of the C-11 recoil particle to produce the trimers and tetramer s. Thermalized carbenes (C7H6)-C-11 give rise to dimers.