The photolysis of dilute solutions of octacyclosulphur or hexacyclosulphur in n-hexane with 253.6 nm UV radiation produces S and possibly S2. The ‘ring-opening’ yields of these sulphur molecules range from 0.2 to 0.7. When the hydrogen end-capped polyyne C10H2 is irradiated in n-hexane, it transforms into unidentified products with a quantum yield of 3×10−5. When octacyclosulphur is added to the solution, the yield rises to 7×10−3. The putative sulphur-bearing product(s) could not be identified. It is suggested that sulphur-bearing molecules might be formed in astronomical settings by reactions of carbon molecules having triple or double C—C bonds with photolytically produced S and/or S2.
