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The thermal decomposition of 1 : 2-dichloroethane has been re-examined and the results are compared with those of previous investigations. A fall in velocity constant of the chain part of the reaction has been observed on reducing the initial pressure below 20 mm. This is caused by a failure of one of the unimolecular steps of the chain reaction and the high pressure rate can be maintained below the critical limit by the addition of sufficient hydrogen chloride. The decomposition exhibits reproducible induction periods and their dependence upon temperature, pressure, packing and the presence of inhibitors has been studied. All the reported features of the reaction can be quantitatively interpreted in terms of a chain mechanism involving chlorine atoms and 1 : 2-dichloroethyl radicals as the chain carriers.

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