The Interaction of Hydrogen Atoms with Solid Organic Substances

The mechanisms and kinetics of reactions occurring when solid organic compounds of different structures (low-molecular- and high-molecular-weight substances) are acted upon by thermal hydrogen atoms are examined. Models and kinetic schemes proposed for the description of the interaction of solid organic substances with gaseous atomic hydrogen are analysed. The majority of the results summarised in the review refer to the path and rate of the primary chemical step in the interaction., Particular attention has been devoted to reactions of the type H + RH -*• H2+ R, the kinetic constants of which have been measured only in recent years. These data are treated on the basis of the hypothesis of a tunnel mechanism for the transfer of a hydrogen atom at a low temperature. The review also deals with the results of studies of the low-temperature reactions of free radicals with hydrogen atoms and with one another. © 1978 Turpion Ltd. All rights reserved.