Laser powered homogeneous pyrolysis of silane

Abstract

In an effort to help resolve recent controversy over the mechanism of and activation energy for the homogeneous thermal decomposition of silane, we have studied this process using the technique of laser powered homogeneous pyrolysis. Using cyclopropane isomerization as an internal standard, we determine an activation energy for silane loss of 52 ± 7 kcal/mole. This value is consistent with previous results from pyrolysis and shock tube studies and supports the claim that under homogeneous conditions silane decomposes by a three-center elimination of molecular hydrogen. © 1985.