Abstract

Infrared kinetic spectroscopy is a powerful tool for quantitative investigation of radical reaction rates and reaction branching ratios. Here it is applied to determine the rate and yield of the reaction between singlet methylene and acetylene, This reaction is believed¹ to be the main reaction forming propargyl, C₃H₃, in hydrocarbon flames. The dimerization of the propargyl produced is proposed1 to be the principal pathway for the formation of benzene, C₆H₆. A series of subsequent reactions starting with benzene ultimately yields the soot and fullerenes formed in flames.

© 1995 Optical Society of America