Calculated Equilibrium Constants for Isotopic Exchange Reactions Involving Sulfur-Containing Compounds

Abstract

<p> Recent investigations by H. G. Thode, J. Macnamara and C. Collins have shown that the S^32/S^34 ratio in natural sulfur-containing compounds varies by as much as five percent. These wide-spread variations suggest that fractionation of the sulfur isotopes occurs in natural processes due to differences in the chemical properties of isotopic molecules. In order to determine the magnitude of the effects that could be expected, partition function ratios for isotopic molecules containing sulfur and equilibrium constants for many isotopic exchange reactions involving sulfur have been calculated by methods of statistical mechanics. The results of these calculations are discussed. </p>