Studies in vacuum ultraviolet photochemistry. Part I. 2,2,3,3- tetramethylbutane

2,2,3,3-Tetramethylbutane has been photolysed at 123.6 and 147 nm at substrate pressures of 1-25 Torr, and conversions of 0.03-0.3%. The primary processes are both molecular and free-radical in nature. The use of the free-radical scavengers oxygen, nitric oxide, and hydrogen sulphide show the existence of four important primary processes (1)-(4). At 147 nm, a further primary process producing molecular methane also occurs. The Me ₃C·CMe₃* ? C₄H₈ + C₄H₁₀ (1) ? C₆H₁₄ + 2Me· (2) ? C₃H₆ + Me· + Bu (3) ? C ₄H₈ + H + Bu (4) photolysis mechanism involves extensive free-radical participation, and in this respect behaves in a manner similar to that of neopentane.