Velocity map imaging of the photolysis of n-C4H9Br in UV region

Using velocity map ion imaging technique, the photodissociation of n-C₄H₉Br in the wavelength range 231–267 nm was studied. The results and our ab initio calculations indicated that the absorption of n-C₄H₉Br in the investigated region originated from the excitations to the lowest three repulsive states, as assigned as 1A″, 2A′ and 3A′ in C_s symmetry. Dissociations occurred on the PES surfaces of the three states, terminating in C₄H₉+Br (²P_3/2) or C₄H₉ + Br^* (²P_1/2) as two channels, and being impacted by an avoided crossing between the PES surfaces of the 2A′ and 3A′ states. The transition dipole to the 1A″ state was perpendicular to the symmetry plane, so perpendicular to the C–Br bond. The transitions to the 3A′ state was polarized parallel to the symmetry plane, and also parallel to the C–Br bond. While the transition dipole to the 2A′ state was in the symmetry plane, but formed an angle of about 53.1° with the C–Br bond. We have also determined the avoided crossing probabilities, which affected the relative fractions of the individual pathways, for the photolysis of n-C₄H₉Br near 234 nm and 267 nm.