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The Slow Combustion of Methane and Ethane

Abstract

Not knowing on what experimental evidence (if any) Dr. Mardles 1 bases his conclusions about the initial ‘peroxidation’of methane and ethane to ‘methyl hydrogen peroxide’ and ‘ethyl hydrogen peroxide’ respectively during slow combustion in air, may I inquire whether (and, if so, how) he has isolated and identified any such substances so produced? For, as was pointed out in the paper on “The Slow Combustion of Ethane” recently published by Mr. S. G. Hill and me,2 there has been, so far, no real experimental proof about the initial ‘peroxidation’ of the hydrocarbons in question in slow combustion; although, as was then shown, the fact that in the case of ethane some slight ‘peroxidation’ of the intermedially formed acetaldehyde may occur has perhaps confused the issue in some minds and misled some observers.

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References

  1. Nature, July 18, p. 116.

  2. Proc. Roy. Soc., A, 129, p. 424.

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BONE, W. The Slow Combustion of Methane and Ethane. Nature 128, 188–189 (1931). https://doi.org/10.1038/128188c0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/128188c0

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