Photochemical Formation of Methylamine and Ethylenediamine from Gas Mixtures of Methane, Ammonia, and Water

Abstract The photolysis of mixtures of CH4, NH3, and H2O with a low-pressure mercury lamp led to the formation of considerable amounts of methylamine and ethylenediamine with oxygen-containing compounds, ethane, and hydrogen. CH2NH2 radicals formed during photolysis were detected by ESR applying a spin trap technique, and it was suggested that the coupling of the radicals leads to the formation of ethylenediamine.