The reactions of ethylene and acetylene at the surface of solutions of barium in liquid sodium

Abstract

The addition of barium to liquid sodium modifies the reactions of the liquid metal with simple hydrocarbons. The reactions of 4·6 atoms % solutions of barium in liquid sodium with acetylene and ethylene have been studied at 100, 150, and 200 °C and at starting pressures up to 18 cmHg. Ethylene reacts with this solution to give a solid acetylide and hydrogen, but hydrogenation to ethane also occurs to a small extent. Reaction of acetylene is much slower (by a factor of about 50) than with liquid sodium alone. Breaks in pressure–time curves are interpreted in terms of adsorption and reaction of acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen at the metal surface.