| Abstract: | A study has been made of the reactions of cyclohexane in a continuous-flow microwave discharge reactor. Butene-1 and propylene were the major reaction products; ethylene and hydrogen were produced in smaller amounts. The distribution of reaction products was found to depend on the reactor pressure and flow-rate. The results show that the fragmentation of cyclohexane is not the sole source of butene-1. The insertion of nickel wire into the reactor enhanced the production of ethylene and propylene; yields of butene-1 were diminished. In the presence of nickel the production of ethylene and propylene became independent of pressure. When carbon dioxide was added to the cyclohexane feed the major reaction product was acetylene. The carbon dioxide did not react chemically. The yields of acetylene per unit energy input were found to be fairly high. |
