Photochemical reactions in alkali halide matrix, decarboxylation of maleic acid into ethylene by uranyl nitrate in a pressed potassium bromide disk

Abstract The feasibility of quantitative photochemical reactions of organic compounds in the solid alkali halide disk, usually used for the study of infrared spectroscopy has been explored. The disks were prepared by mixing maleic acid, uranyl nitrate and potassium bromide. Ultraviolet light was used for the irradiation of disk and the products were identified by infrared spectroscopy. It has been observed that the rate of reaction increases with the time of irradiation. The results indicate that the ethylene and uranyl (VI) complex of carboxylate are formed with the decarboxylation of maleic acid, sensitized by uranyl nitrate.