Molecular beam study of methyl nitrite photodissociation after excitation into the second absorption band at 248 and 193 nm

The photodissociation dynamics of methyl nitrite in the second UV absorption band (B band) has been studied by molecular beam photofragment spectroscopy at 248 and 193 nm. Angular distributions were measured at both wavelengths yielding anisotropy parameters β=1.36±0.10 at 248 nm and β=1.08±0.07 at 193 nm which indicates a predominantly in plane transition. Measurements performed atT _rot<10 K and atT _rot≧70 K show that within the experimental error β is independent of the rotational temperature of the molecular beam implying that the dissociation process is considerably faster than a typical rotational period. The anglex between the electronic transition moment and the dissociation direction is estimated to be 28° at 248 nm and 34° at 193 nm. The difference ofx at these two wavelengths is proposed to be the effect of an admixture of a perpendicular transition at 193 nm. No contribution attributable to the electronically excited methoxy fragment was found in the TOF spectrum after excitation at 193 nm. It is concluded that the production quantum yield for electronically excited methoxy is smaller than 7%.     

Two-photon absorption study of Zn(II)tetraphenylporphin: Role of a higher excited singlet state of gerade symmetry

The S₂ state fluorescence of Zn(II)tetraphenylporphin has been studied by using two-photon absorption and optical—optical double-resonance techniques. The main process to populate the S₂ state was found to be a stepwise two-photon absorption to the S_nstate through the S₁ state. The large absorption cross section of the S_n ← S₁ transition (6.8 × 10^?16 cm² molecule^?1) at 540 nm suggests that there exists a higher excited singlet state of gerade parity.     

Photodissociation of Cl2SO at 248 and 193 nm in a molecular beam

A pulse molecular beam of Cl₂SO was photodissociated at 248 and 193 nm. The time-of-flight distributions were observed for the photofragments, Cl, ClSO and SO. The primary processes are Cl + ClSO (I), 2Cl + SO (II) and Cl₂ + SO (III). At 193 nm the measured translational energy distributions imply a vibrationally excited ClSO fragment in process (I), and a simultaneous dissociation in process (II). The relative quantum yield is φ_I < φ_II. At 248 nm a radical process (I) is dominant compared to a molecular process (III).     

Photodissociation of molecular beams of N2O4

A molecular beam of N₂O₄ molecules was photodissociated by an excimer laser at 193 and 248 nm. The time-of-flight distribution of NO₂ photofragments is consistent with the formation of two electronically excited NO_2* molecules in the ā(²B₂) or B?(²B₁) state. Visible emission from NO₂^* was observed in the photolysis at both 193 and 248 nm excitation. The parallel angular distribution of the NO₂ photofragments shows that at.193 nm N₂O₄ has a transition dipole along the N-N axis and the dissociative lifetime is estimated to be less than 1 ps.     

The three-body dissociation dynamics of Cl2O at 248 and 193 nm

The photodissociation of Cl₂O has been studied at 248 and 193 nm using photofragment translational spectroscopy (PTS) experiments with tunable VUV photoionization detection. The sole products observed were Cl, O and ClO fragments. Based on the derived translational energy distributions for the ClO and Cl photofragments we conclude that at 248 nm 15% of Cl₂O excitation results in three-body dissociation. At 193 nm no Cl₂ fragments are observed and we conclude that the oxygen atoms arise solely from three-body dissociation. Dissociation geometries derived from forward convolution fitting suggest two qualitatively distinct three-body dissociation pathways: asymmetric concerted dissociation and symmetric concerted dissociation in agreement with recent theoretical predictions.     

Kinetics of CN(v=0) and CN(v=1) with H2 HCl and HBr

CN radicals have been generated in their X ²Σ⁺ (v=0) and (v= 1 ) levels by pulsed laser photolysis of NCNO at 532 nm, and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence has been used to measure the rates of their removal by H₂, HC1 and HBr. The rate constants for removal of CN(v= 1 ) by these three species are 1.2 ± 0.3, 1.1 ± 0.2 and 1.3 ± 0.1 times the rate constants for reaction of CN(v=0). The results can be interpreted in terms of vibrationally adiabatic theory and a CN vibrational frequency which is almost the same in the transition state as in the isolated radical.     

Vibronic coupling of pyrene in the first ππ* excited state

The two-photon fluorescence excitation spectrum of pyrene in n-hexane and n-heptane matrices has been measured at 10 K in the region of the first electronic transition (26800–30200 cm^?1). The spectrum consists of a rich number of sharp bands, being in general better resolved in n-hexane than in n-heptane matrix. Shpol'skii multiplets have been observed for the most intense bands. A strong two-photon band dominates the spectrum = 1495 cm^?1 from the 0—0 line and was assigned to B_1u × b_1u = A_g symmetry. Other weaker vibronic origins occur in the spectrum which were correlated to vibrational modes of b_1u, b_2u, b_3u and a_u symmetry. Intense vibronic bands are observed close to the origin of the second electronic transition and were interpreted as combination bands of B_1u × b_1u × b_3g symmetry. A two-photon vibronic theory to account for their intensity is proposed where the electronic moment is linearly expanded in powers of the nuclear displacements.     

Energy transfer from a platinum—nickel excited state to platinum clusters in quasi-one-dimensional Ba(Pt,Ni)(CN)4·nH2O crystals

Laser-induced luminescence in quasi-one-dimensional Ba(Pt, Ni)(CN)₄·nH₂O crystals has been measured from 5 to 300 K. A well-defined luminescence peak is observed, corresponding to an excited electronic state of platinum and nickel. Energy transfer from this Pt—Ni excited state to Pt(CN)₄^2? clusters is found to be very much dependent on the temperature.     

Two-photon absorption of dissociating TLI in strong laser fields

In a strong laser field (I=2 GW/cm²) TlI is dissociated by a two-photon process and the Tl fragment is detected state specifically. The yield of Tl 6p ² P _3/2 (Tl*) is measured as a function of the dissociation wavelength (480 nm–540 nm). If the dissociation wavelength is close to two-photon transitions of the Tl atom from 6p ² P _3/2 to np² P _1/2,3/2 or mf² F _5/2,7/2,n=10 ... 15,m=7 ... 12 dips in the yield are observed. These dips show a significant asymmetric broadening, compared to a free atomic transition and the observation is interpreted as an absorption process of the transient state of dissociating TlI during the laser pulse. By applying the Landau-Zener approximation for the potential crossing of dressed molecular states, we are able to describe the broadening and the power density dependence of the observations. Simulations show that the asymmetry is determined by the difference potential of the electronic states which are coupled by the laser field.     

Sub-picosecond laser ionization of free C60 and C70 at 248 nm

Delayed ionization is found to be absent for sub-picosecond laser excitation of free C₆₀ and C₇₀ at 248 nm. The autocorrelation trace obtained for C ₆₀ ⁺ in a laser time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer using two time-delayed and collinear 248 nm ultrashort laser pulses has a width of 1.1 ps (715 fs for sech² pulses), in agreement with the laser pulse duration measurement in NO gas. Both above observations can be explained by direct ionization of C₆₀ via coherent two-photon absorption by the high intensity sub-picosecond 248 nm laser excitation avoiding the channel leading to delayed ionization.     

193 nm photolysis of CHCl3: Probe of the CH product by CRDS

The CH radical production induced by 193 nm two-photon photolysis of CHCl₃ has been measured for the first time via the cavity ring-down absorption spectroscopy of its A–X bands, using a commercial nanosecond pulsed dye laser. The range of pressure and laser intensity, as well as the time window detection, have been carefully chosen to ensure a constant CH number density during the measurement and to avoid post-photolysis reactivity. Internal energy distribution of the CH(X²II) fragment has been derived from population distribution simulations, leading to an average vibrational temperature T_vib = 1900 ± 50 K and rotational temperature T_rot = 300 ± 20 K. Two competing mechanisms can be invoked for the CH production channel: either two-photon absorption via resonant excited states of CHCl₃ leading to dissociation of excited CHCl₃, or two-photon sequential dissociation via the formation of the vibrationally excited CHCl₂ fragment. The latter mechanism is proposed to be the prominent process for CH formation.     

Synthesis and photochemical properties of high-impact styrene copolymers containing keto groups

A method for the preparation by suspension polymerization of high-impact styrene copolymers containing built-in keto groups is described. Some of the features of the process are described. Photolysis of these copolymers on irradiation with polychromatic and monochromatic light (λ = 313 and 366 nm) has been investigated. The quantum yields of cleavage of the main chain (ø_cs) in film or solution have been shown to be concentration dependent. It has been concluded that the photoprocesses in these two-phase polymeric systems proceed independently in the polymer matrix and in the dimethylformamide insoluble fraction.     

Energy disposal in the photodissociation HCN(Ã1A″) → H + CN(X 2Σ) at 193 nm

Rotational energy disposal has been measured in CN(X ²Σ, υ″ = 0, 1, 2) following 193 nm dissociation of HCN vapor at 295 K. The fractional populations for the three vibrational states are 0.56 ± 0.08, 0.33 ± 0.13, and 0.11 ± 0.03 for υ″ = 0, 1 and 2 respectively. This distribution is fit well by a Poisson distribution with an average vibrational quantum number of 0.55 corresponding to the average vibrational energy of 1128 ± 294 cm⁻¹. This energy represents (10 ± 3)% of the available energy. The rotational distributions in all three vibrational states can be represented by a single surprisal which depends linearly on N″/N″_max where N″_max is the maximum value of the rotational quantum number permitted by energy conservation and the prior distribution is similarly constrained. The average energy in rotation is 1055 ± 373 cm⁻¹ which represents (9 ± 3)% of that available for disposal. Time-dependence measurements indicate that product CN(X ²Σ, υ = 0) is formed in both a fast (τ < 80 ns) and a slow process. No evidence is found for the production of CN(A ²Π, υ ≈ 0).     

Photofragmentation of C60

Photo-ionisation and -fragmentation ofC ₆₀ by 15 ns excimer laser pulses at 308 nm and 193 nm as well as 0.8 ps laser pulses at 193 nm has been studied with reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The initial fragmentation process is ejection ofC _n,n>2, as opposed to successiveC ₂ evaporation. Studies of the relative intensities of metastable fragmentation processes compared with direct fragmentation provide new insight into the fragmentation mechanism and provide a thermometer for the internal energy ofC ₆₀ ⁺ prior to fragmentation. The proposed mechanism is in agreement with measurements of the fragment ion kinetic energies. The results are compared with molecular dynamics simulations.     

Photodissociation of room-temperature and jet-cooled water at 193 nm

The photodissociation dynamics of water in its first absorption band has been studied in detail by photolyzing room-tempera-ture and jet-cooled H₂O with an ArF excimer laser at 193 nm. The fate of the ejected OH(X ²Π) photofragments was probed by laser-induced fluorescence. The excess energy is transferred almost exclusively into translational motion of the products, ∂_t = 0.97. The rotational distribution depends strongly on the initial temperature. For warm water (T = 300 K), the rotational distribution can be described by a Boltzmann distribution with a temperature parameter of 400 K. No significant difference between the two Λ components, probed via Q and R, P lines, was observed. In the case of jet-cooled H₂O the rotational distribution of the Π⁻ component of the Λ doublets can be described by a temperature parameter of 330 K; that of the Π⁺ component strongly deviates from a Boltzmann distribution. The Λ doublet population shows an increasing inversion with increasing J_OH. The dissociation process does not distinguish between the two spin-orbit states and the spin is only a spectator in the dissociation process of H₂O at 193 nm. These results are compared with observations of the photolysis of water at 157 nm.     

C2 and CN formation by optical pumping of CO/Ar and Co/N2/Ar mixtures at room temperature

A continuous wave carbon monoxide laser is used to excite the vibrational mode of CO in CO/Ar and CO/N₂/Ar mixtures flowing through a gas absorption cell. High steady-state excitation of the CO vibrational mode (0.3 eV/molecule) is achieved, while a translational—rotational temperature near 300 K is maintained by the steady flow of cold gas into the cell. These non-equilibrium conditions result in extreme vibration—vibration pumping, population high-lying vibrational quantum levels (to V = 42) of CO. N₂ can also be pumped by vibrational energy transfer from CO. Under these conditions, C₂ and CN molecules are formed, and are observed to fluoresce on various electronic band transitions, notably C₂ Swan (A ³Π_g—X ³Π_u) and CN violet (B ²Σ⁺—X²Σ⁺).     

Characterising lone-pair activity of lead(II) by 207Pb solid-state NMR spectroscopy: coordination polymers of [N(CN)2]- and [Au(CN)2]- with terpyridine ancillary ligands

A series of lead(II) coordination polymers containing [N(CN)₂]^? (DCA) or [Au(CN)₂]^? bridging ligands and substituted terpyridine (terpy) ancillary ligands ([Pb(DCA)₂] ( 1 ), [Pb(terpy)(DCA)₂] ( 2 ), [Pb(terpy){Au(CN)₂}₂] ( 3 ), [Pb(4′‐chloro‐terpy){Au(CN)₂}₂] ( 4 ) and [Pb(4′‐bromo‐terpy)(μ‐OH₂)_0.5{Au(CN)₂}₂] ( 5 )) was spectroscopically examined by solid‐state ²⁰⁷Pb MAS NMR spectroscopy in order to characterise the structural and electronic changes associated with lead(II) lone‐pair activity. Two new compounds, 2 and [Pb(4′‐hydroxy‐terpy){Au(CN)₂}₂] ( 6 ), were prepared and structurally characterised. The series displays contrasting coordination environments, bridging ligands with differing basicities and structural and electronic effects that occur with various substitutions on the terpyridine ligand (for the [Au(CN)₂]^? polymers). ²⁰⁷Pb NMR spectra show an increase in both isotropic chemical shift and span (Ω) with increasing ligand basicity (from δ_iso=?3090 ppm and Ω=389 ppm for 1 (the least basic) to δ_iso=?1553 ppm and Ω=2238 ppm for 3 (the most basic)). The trends observed in ²⁰⁷Pb NMR data correlate with the coordination sphere anisotropy through comparison and quantification of the Pb? N bond lengths about the lead centre. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the more basic ligands result in greater p‐orbital character and show a strong correlation to the ²⁰⁷Pb NMR chemical shift parameters. Preliminary trends suggest that ²⁰⁷Pb NMR chemical shift anisotropy relates to the measured birefringence, given the established correlations with structure and lone‐pair activity.     

Photochemical and Photophysical Studies of 3-Amino-6-lodoacridine and the Inactivation of λ Phage

Abstract— The photochemistry and photophysics of 3-amino-6-io-doacridine (Acr-I) was studied. Photolysis (350 nm) of Acr-I (free base) generates products consistent with a free radical intermediate in methanol, benzene and carbon tetrachloride. The Acr-I hydrochloride is shown to bind to calf thymus DNA and to the self-complementary dinucleotide cytidylyl-(3′-5′)-guanosine (CpG) minidu-plex in a manner similar to that of proflavine (Acr-NH₂), a known DNA intercalator. The Acr-I is shown to more efficiently nick supercoiled plasmid DNA pBR322 upon 350 nm or 420 nm photolysis than Acr-NH₂. The efficiency of Acr-I-sensitized DNA nicking is not oxygen dependent. Photolysis of the Acr-I/(CpG)₂ complex leads to cleavage of the dinucleotide and to cytidine base release by selective damage to a specific ribose moiety. Dinucleotide cleavage occurs equally well in the presence or absence of oxygen, thereby eliminating a singlet oxygen- or peroxyl radical-mediated process. Photolysis of Acr-I in the presence of a mononucleotide (GMP) or a non-self-complementary dinucleotide (uridylyl-[3′-5′]-cytidine– UpC) does not lead to fragmentation and base release. Similarly, photolysis of the Acr-NH₂/(CpG)₂ complex does not lead to fragmentation and base release. The data indicate that photolysis of an iodinated intercalator bound to CpG or plasmid DNA generates an intercalated aryl radical and that the reactive intermediate initiates a sequence of reactions that efficiently nick nucleic acids. The inactivation of Λ phage sensitized by Acr-I with UV (350 nm) light is oxygen independent but with visible (420 nm) light is strongly oxygen dependent. The Acr-I fluoresces more intensely when excited at 446 than at 376 nm. Thus, UV photolysis may lead to C-I bond homolysis and free radical formation, a process that is not energetically feasible with visible light. The results demonstrate the difficulty of extrapolating model studies involving simple molecules and DNA to understanding the mechanism of viral inactivation with a particular sensitizer.     

A Study of S(3P2,1,0; 1D2; 1S0) Production in the 193 nm Photodissociation of CH3SH

The dynamics of S(³P_2,1,0; ¹D₂; ¹S₀) production from the 193 nm photodissociation of CH₃SH has been examined by 2+1 resonance-enhanced-multiphoton-ionization (REMPI) techniques. Using the rate equation scheme, we have rationalized the intensities of S(³P_2,1,0; ¹D₂; ¹S₀) observed according to the sequential two-photon dissociative pathways, (A): CH₃SH + hv (193 nm) → CH₃S + hv (193 nm) → S and (B): CH₃SH + hv (193 nm) → HS + hv (193 nm) → S, as the major mechanisms for S production. We have satisfactorily fitted the photodissociation laser power dependencies for S(³P) and S(¹D) produced from CH₃SH by invoking photodissociation cross sections and branching ratios S(³P)/S(¹D) for CH₃S and HS similar to those determined previously in the 193 nm photodissociation of CH₃SCH₃ and H₂S. This observation supports that the 193 nm photodissociation of CH₃S and HS prepared from CH₃SH yield predominantly S(^lD) and S(³P), similar to the cases for CH₃S prepared from CH₃SCH₃ and for HS prepared from H₂S, respectively. A small amount of S(¹S₀) observed from the 193 nm photodissociation of CH₃SH is attributed to pathway (B).     

Photofragmentation of H2S in the first continuum

The dynamics of the photofragmentation of H₂S in the first continuum has been investigated at laser wavelengths 193, 222 and 248 nm. The HS fragments are produced mainly in υ = 0, as expected, but a non-negligible part of the HS radicals produced are vibrationally excited. The distribution of the vibrationally excited radicals peaks at υ = 3 or 4 at 193 nm and at υ = 2 at 222 nm. From the angular distribution of the H fragments it can be concluded that the anisotropy parameter β decreases with increasing wavelength. These results can be explained by a predissociation mechanism. Excitation in the first continuum takes place from the ¹A₁ ground state to the bound ¹B₁ state. This state is predissociated by a repulsive ¹A₂ state producing electronically ground-state H and HS fragments, of which the HS fragments can be vibrationally excited, resulting in a bimodal vibrational distribution. The increase of β with increasing wavelength is caused by a non-negligible lifetime in the ¹B₁ state.