Sulfur Hexafluoride: Optimal Use as a Gas-Phase, Infrared Sensitizer

Investigations into the use of sulfur hexafluoride, SF6, as a gas-phase, infrared photochemical sensitizer have revealed several interesting phenomena. The expedient use of SF6 can produce an optimal quantity of nitrated product in the gas-phase, laser-induced nitration of cyclopen-tane. The optimal utilization of sulfur hexafluoride required critical optimization of both frequency and quantity. The results are described herein.