Transformations of benzene-argon mixture in barrier discharge

The transformation of a benzene-argon mixture in dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) was studied. Benzene-soluble polymeric compounds (76.5 wt %), biphenyl (7.6 wt %), and phenylcyclohexadienes (9 wt %) are the major products. Monoalkylbenzenes, cyclohexadienes, and ethynylbenzene are in trace amounts in the reaction mixture. The benzene conversion per pass through the discharge zone was 5.5 wt %. The possible mechanism of the benzene transformation in DBD was suggested on the basis of experimental data and theoretical calculations.