Laser flash photolysis of ozone: O(1D) quantum yields in the fall-off region 297–325 nm

The wavelength dependence of the quantum yield for O(¹D) production from ozone photolysis has been determined between 297.5 nm and 325 nm in order to resolve serious discrepancies among previous studies. The result of this investigation are compared to earlier work by calculating atmospheric production rate constants for O(¹D). It is found that for the purpose of calculating this rate constant, there is now good agreement among three studies at 298 K. Furthermore, it appears that previous data on the temperature dependence of the O(¹D) quantum yield fall-off is adequate for determining the vertical profile of the O(¹D) production rate constant. Several experimental difficulties associated with using NO*₂ chemiluminescence to monitor O(¹D) have been identified.     

Ozone photolysis: determination of the O(3P) quantum yield at 266 nm

Direct production of O(³P) from the photodissociation of O₃ at 266 nm has been observed by time-resolved resonance fluorescence following laser flash photolysis. The quantum yield for O(³P) production was determined to be 0.12 = 0.02 at this wavelength. This result confirms the qualitative observations of two previous photofragment studies and establishes an absolute value of Φ(O¹D)) = 0.88. This value has been used as a basis for normalizing relative quantum yields in the falloff region, and interpreting O(¹D) kinetics studies.     

Absolute quantum yield measurements for the formation of oxygen atoms after UV laser excitation of SO2 at 222-4 nm

The dynamics of formation of oxygen atoms after UV photoexcitation of SO₂ in the gas-phase was studied by pulsed laser photolysis-laser-inducedfluorescence ‘pump-and-probe’ technique in a flow reactor. SO₂ at room-temperature was excited at the KrCl excimer laser wavelength (222.4 nm) and O(³P_j) photofragments were detected under collision-free conditions by vacuum ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence. The use of narrow-band probe laser radiation, generated viaresonant third-order sum-difference frequency conversion of dye laser radiation in Krypton, allowed the measurement of the nascent O(³P_j=2,1,0) fine-structure state distribution:n _j=2/n_j=1/n_j=0 = (0.88 ± 0.02)/(0.10 ± 0.01)/(0.02 ± 0.01). Employing NO₂photolysis as a reference, a value of Φ₀(³P) = 0.13 ± 0.05 for the absolute O(³P) atom quantum yield was determined. The measured O(³P) quantum yield is compared with the results of earlier fluorescence quantum yield measurements. A suitable mechanism is suggested in which the dissociation proceeds via internal conversion from high rotational states of the initially excited SO₂(~C¹B₂ (1, 2, 2) vibronic level to nearby continuum states of the electronic ground state.     

Absolute quantum yield of O(1D2) in the photolysis of ozone in the hartley band

The absolute quantum yield of O(¹D₂) in the photolysis of ozone in the Hartley band, between about 230 and 280 nm, has been determined using the isotopic exchange reaction between C¹⁶O₂ and ¹⁸O(¹D₂). A value of 1.00 ± 0.05 has been obtained within a 95% confidence limit. A value of unity may therefore be accepted as the average quantum yield of O(¹D₂) atoms in the 230–280-nm region within an uncertainty of only several percent.     

Proton transfer from nitromethane stimulated by C-H overtone excitation: evidence for vibrational photochemistry in solution

Vibrational overtone excitation of nitromethane in the C-H stretch (Δv = 3) band at 1144 nm enhances the rate of proton transfer to D₂O solvent. Evidence is presented for vibrational photochemistry with quantum yield (3± 1 × 10⁻⁵.     

The missing link: triplet fluorocarbonyl nitrene FC(O)N

The elusive triplet fluorocarbonyl nitrene, FC(O)N (X³A′′), has been generated in high yield from matrix‐isolated FC(O)N₃ by ArF excimer laser photolysis (λ=193 nm). As a side product FNCO was formed. The novel nitrene was characterized by IR, UV/Vis, EPR spectroscopy, and quantum‐chemical calculations. All six fundamental vibrations of FC(O)N at 1681.3, 1193.8, 879.8, 646.5, 588.7, and 434.8 cm^?1 (argon matrix, 16 K), their ^12/13C, ^16/18O, and ^14/15N isotopic shifts, and four electronic transitions at T₀=13 890, 25 428, 29 166, and 30 900 cm^?1 that exhibit vibrational fine structures have been detected. Under visible‐light irradiation at λ≥495 nm, FC(O)N reacted with molecular N₂ in the matrix cage at 6 K to give back FC(O)N₃, whereas near‐UV irradiation at λ≥335 nm yielded FNCO. The singlet–triplet energy gaps of different carbonyl nitrenes are discussed.     

The photolysis of N2O at 1470 Å

The photolysis of pure N₂O, N₂O and N₂, and N₂O and C₃H₆ mixtures at 1470 Å and room temperature has been studied to determine the relative importance of the primary processes. The results are where ?{O(¹D)} = 0.515 represents both the O(¹D) produced in the primary act and that produced by collisional quenching of O(¹S); ?{N₂(³Σ)} = 0.084 represents only that portion of N₂(³?) which dissociates N₂O on deactivation; and ?{O(¹S)} = 0.38 – ±{N(²D)} represents only that portion of O(¹S) which enters into chemical reaction with N₂O. If the reaction of O(¹S) with N₂O yields only N₂ and O₂ as products, which seems likely from potential-energy curve considerations then ±{O(¹S)} = 0.135 ± 0.06 and ?{N(²D)} = 0.245 ± 0.06. Young and coworkers [4] have found from spectroscopic observations that the total quantum yield of O(¹S) is about 0.5. Thus it can be concluded that collisional removal of O(¹S) by N₂O yields mainly O(¹D) with chemical reaction being less important. Furthermore, most of the O(¹D) is produced this way, and the true primary yield of O(¹D) is about 0.15. The metastable N(²D) is not deactivated by N₂O, but is removed by chemical reaction to produce N₂ and NO. The results further indicate that N₂(³Σ) dissociates N₂O at least 80% of the time during quenching. The relative efficiency of N₂O compared to N₂ is about 2 for the removal of O(¹D). O(¹S) is removed about 90 times as efficiently by C₃H₆ as by N₂O.     

Influence of Solvent Polarity and Proticity on the Photochemical Properties of Norfloxacin

Abstract— The fluoroquinolone antibacterial norfloxacin (NF) is a moderate photosensitizer of singlet molecular oxygen (¹O₂). We have studied photosensitization by NF as a function of medium polarity and proticity in solvent mixtures. We have used 1,4-dioxane and propylene carbonate mixtures to keep proticity constant while modulating polarity, and water/D₂O and ethylene carbonate mixtures to alter proticity without large changes in polarity. The absorption spectrum of NF was little affected by solvent changes, as compared to the fluorescence spectrum that exhibited as much as a 50 nm blue-shift, e.g. 1,4-dioxane versus D₂O. The quantum yield of NF fluorescence saturated at an almost 10 times higher value (?0.14) when proticity was increased by added water, up to 0.2 mol fraction, to ethylene carbonate. Less pronounced, the increasing polarity in 1,4-dioxane/propylene carbonate mixtures affected the fluorescence yield much less. Norfloxacin produces ¹O₂ and is able to quench ¹O₂. The rate constant for ¹O₂ quenching is 4.5 × 107 M^?1 s^?1 in propylene carbonate but decreases ca four times in D₂O. The quantum yield of ¹O₂ photogeneration was also up to five times higher in solvents that were both protic and polar than vice versa. Our data show that NF is more photochemically active in an environment that is both protic and polar. This suggests the involvement of polar excited state(s) and possible proton/hydrogen transfer during photoexcitation. Similar processes may initiate the phototoxic response reported in some patients treated with the fluoroquinolone drugs. The phototoxicity of NF and other fluoroquinolone antibiotics may strongly depend on their localization in hydrophilic or hydrophobic cell/tissue regions.     

Photolysis of alkaline-earth nitrates

Peroxynitrite and nitrite ions are the diamagnetic products of photolysis (with light at a wavelength of 253.7 nm) of alkaline-earth nitrates; the paramagnetic products and hydrogen peroxide were not found. The structural water in alkaline-earth nitrate crystals did not affect the qualitative composition of the photodecomposition products. The quantum yield of nitrite ions was 0.0012, 0.0038, 0.0078, and 0.0091 quanta^?1 and that of peroxynitrite ions was 0.0070, 0.0107, 0.0286, and 0.0407 quanta^?1 for Sr(NO₃)₂, Ba(NO₃)₂, Ca(NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O, and Mg(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O, respectively.     

NaYF4:Yb,Er/NaYF4 Core/Shell Nanocrystals with High Upconversion Luminescence Quantum Yield

Upconversion core/shell nanocrystals with different mean sizes ranging from 15 to 45 nm were prepared via a modified synthesis procedure based on anhydrous rare‐earth acetates. All particles consist of a core of NaYF₄:Yb,Er, doped with 18 % Yb³⁺ and 2 % Er³⁺, and an inert shell of NaYF₄, with the shell thickness being equal to the radius of the core particle. Absolute measurements of the photoluminescence quantum yield at a series of different excitation power densities show that the quantum yield of 45 nm core/shell particles is already very close to the quantum yield of microcrystalline upconversion phosphor powder. Smaller core/shell particles prepared by the same method show only a moderate decrease in quantum yield. The quantum yield of 15 nm core/shell particles, for instance, is reduced by a factor of three compared to the bulk upconversion phosphor at high power densities (100 W cm^?2) and by approximately a factor of 10 at low power densities (1 W cm^?2).     

The photolysis of water vapor at 1470 Å. H2 production in the primary process

The primary processes in the photolysis of water vapor at 1470 Å are due to H₂O + hν(λ = 1470 Å) → H₂ + O(¹D), H₂O + hν(λ = 1470 Å) → H + OH with the H₂ yield of the first process accounting for 23% of the overall H₂ production. The quantum yield of this process is estimated to be 0.08 by using O₂ as a scavenger for H-atoms. Secondary reactions involving the photolytic products and added O₂ are discussed.     

DAMAGE TO URACIL- AND ADENINE-CONTAINING BASES, NUCLEOSIDES, NUCLEOTIDES AND POLYNUCLEOTIDES: QUANTUM YIELDS ON IRRADIATION AT 193 AND 254 NM

Abstract Photoreactions, such as base release and decomposition of the base moiety, induced by either 20 ns laser pulses at 193 nm or continuous 254 nm irradiation, were studied for a series of uracil and adenine derivatives in neutral aqueous solution. The quantum yield of chromophore loss (φ) depends significantly on the nature of the nucleic acid constituent and the saturating gas (Ar, N₂O or O₂). In the case of polynucleotides the destruction of nucleotides was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography after hydrolysis; the quantum yields (φ) are comparable to those of chromophore loss or larger. The φ_cl and aφ_dn of 0.04–0.1 for poly(U) and poly(dU), obtained for both wavelengths of irradiation, are due to processes originating from the lowest excited singlet state, i.e. formation of photohydrates and photodimers, and a second part from photoionization using λ_irr= 193 nm. Irradiation at 193 nm effectively splits pyrimidine dimers and thus reverts them into monomers. The quantum yield for release of undamaged bases (φ_br) from nucleosides, nucleotides and polynucleotides upon irradiation at 254 nm is typically φ_br= (0.1–1) × 10^?4 Breakage of the N-glycosidic bond is significantly more efficient for λ_irr=193 nm, e.g. φ_br= 1.1 × 10^?3, 0.8 × 10^?3, 4.3 × 10^?3 and 0.5 × 10^?3 for poly(A), poly(dA), poly(U) and poly(dU) in Ar-saturated solution, respectively. Enhanced φ values for λ_irr= 193 nm, essentially for adenine and its derivatives, are caused by photo-processes that are initiated by photoionization.     

Chlorine nitrate photolysis by a new technique: very low pressure photolysis

Very low pressure photolysis (VLPØ) of chlorine nitrate was performed in a quartz Knudsen cell. The light source was a 2500 W high-pressure xenon lamp, and a modulated molecular-beam mass spectrometer was used to monitor the concentration of ClONO₂ and photolysis products. Because of the low pressures used (? 10^?3 torr) and the short residence time in the cell (≈1 s), secondary reactions were unimportant and the primary products could be directly identified. The primary photolysis products (λ ≈ 2700 Å) are atomic chlorine and NO₃ free radical. Chlorine atoms were identified both by the appearance of Cl₂ (wall recombination product; the walls were not poisoned) and by HCl produced when C₂H₆ was added to the cell. Nitrate free radical was directly identified as a mass peak at m/e = 62, as well as by chemical titration with nitric oxide: NO₃ + NO → 2NO₂. It was verified by direct tests that the peak at m/e = 62 did not arise from possible HNO₃ contamination or from N₂O₅, a possible secondary product. This titration reaction was used to measure quantitatively a lower limit to the primary quantum yield, φ ? 0.5 ± 0.3. This represents a lower limit because of the unknown extent of the secondary photolysis of NO₃ under our conditions. We believe this to be the first observation using mass spectrometry of the NO₃ free radical. The quantum yield for atomic chlorine is φ = 1.0 ± 0.2. N₂O was used to test for O(¹D) according to the reaction, O(¹D) + N₂O → products; none was observed. Triplet oxygen, O(³P) was observed to the extent of ≈ 10% by the reaction O(³P) + NO₂ → NO + O₂, but this yield can also be due to the photolysis of NO₃ free radical produced in the primary step. We conclude that the predominant reaction pathway is

.     

Photolysis of ozone in the ultraviolet region. Reactions of O(1D), O2(1Δg) and O≠2

Reactions of O(¹D) and O₂(¹Δ_g) with ozone have been observed time resolved by the detection of the product O³P) and their rate constants have been determined. It is found that vibrationally excited molecular oxygen, O^≠₂, also produces O(³P) in reaction with ozone. These observations are supported by the results of quantum yield determinations of the ozone decomposition in UV-photolysis.     

INTERMEDIATES IN THE PHOTOCONVERSION OF FUNCTIONAL PHYTOCHROME IN FERN SPORES OF Dryopteris-I DEMONSTRATION AND QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PHOTOCHROMIC SYSTEM Pr⇔ Ii700USING NANOSECOND-LASER PULSES*,†

Abstract— Spores of Dryopteris paleacea and D. filix-mas are positively photoblastic with an optimum in the action spectrum around 665 nm. Light is perceived by phytochrome and the relationship between germination and mole fraction of the far-red-absorbing form of this pigment, P_fr, was investigated with saturating irradiations between 662 and 747 nm under low-fluence-rate conditions. These control irradiations establish a proportion of the total phytochrome, P,_tot, as P_fr with P_fr/P_tot–φ at equilibrium. These φ -values were calculated according to data for native oat phytochrome (Kelly and Lagarias, 1985, Biochemistry 24, 6003) and the spectral characteristics of the interference filters. With this method a linear relationship could be found between φ and germination from 2 to 70% for D. paleacea and from 2 to 90% for D. filix-mas, if probit germination was plotted vs probit φ This correlation formed the basis of investigating the phytochrome photoconversion by dye-laser pulses of 380 ± 30 ns under high-fluence-rate conditions, and thus to test quantitatively the impact of the photoreversibility of intermediate reactions of the photoconversion and the red-absorbing form of phytochrome, P_fr on the final P_fr-level. Spore germination was initiated by a single-laser pulse in the range from 592 to 700 nm. The most effective wavelengths were 649 and 660 nm in both species, and at saturation maximal germination (ca. 50%) was obtained from 592 to 665 nm for D. paleacea or ca. 60% germination from 592 to 670 nm for D. filix-mas. Both saturation levels correspond to a ø-value between 0.40 and 0.45. This significantly diminished photoconversion is a consequence of the high-fluence-rate conditions during the laser pulse which establishes the photochromic system between P_r and a set of very early intermediates, Iⁱ_700, (= P_r? Iⁱ₇₀₀). This system can be described by the extinction coefficients of P_r and the intermediates Iⁱ₇₀₀, and by the quantum yields, 4,φ for the forward and reverse reactions as φ If φ is calculated, assuming a quantum yield of 1:1 for both reactions and with the extinction coefficients of P_r and Iⁱ_7(l() (= lumi-R) given by Eilfeld and Riidiger (1985, Z. Naturforsch. 40c , 109), significantly higher values are calculated for / as compared to φ found in the control experiments. These results can be explained either: (i) with a quantum yield ratio φ_pr-φ1700: φ_1700φpr=1:1 and an assumed additional dark reaction leading from Iⁱ₇₀₀ or later intermediates back to P_r: or (ii) with a quantum yield ratio φ_{pr φ 1700}: φ_{1700 φpr}=1:2. In this case all Iⁱ₇₀₀ have to relax to P_fr. In this case all Iⁱ₇₀₀ have to relax to P_fr.     

Photodissociation of 2-Bromobutane at ～265 nm by Ion-velocity Map Imaging Technique

The photodissociation dynamics of 2-bromobutane has been investigated at 264.77 and 264.86 nm by ion-velocity map imaging technique coupled with resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization. The speed and angular distributions have been derived from the velocity map images of Br and Br*. The speed distributions of Br and Br* atoms in the photodis-sociation of 2-bromobutane at ～265 nm can be fitted using only one Gaussian function indicating that bromine fragments were produced via direct dissociation of C-Br bond. Thecontributions of the excited ³Q₀, ³Q₁, and ¹Q₁ states to the products (Br and Br*) were discussed. It is found that the nonadiabatic ¹Q₁←³Q₀ transition plays an important role for Br photofragment in the dissociation of 2-C₄H₉Br at ～265 nm. Relative quantum yield of 0.621 for Br(²P_3/2) at ～265 nm in the photodissociation of 2-bromobutane is derived. By comparing the photodissociation of 2-C₄H₉Br at ～265 nm and that that at ～234 nm, the anisotropy parameter β(Br) and β(Br*), and relative quantum yield ?(Br) decrease with increasing wavelength, the probability of curve crossing between ³Q₀ and ¹Q₁ decreases with increasing laser wavelength.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the photodecomposition of xenon tetroxide

The of photochemical decomposition of XcO4 under the action of UV-radia(ion in the wavelength range of 200–300 nm was investigated. The quantum yield of the formation of oxygen atoms upon XeO₄ photodissociation was measured (Ф = 3.6±0.4). The results obtained point to the predominant role of the XeO₄ +hv → 4O + Xe photodissociation channel of XeO₄. The value of the rate constant of the reaction XeO₄ + O → O₂ + XeO₃ was estimated (<4.5 · 10^?16 cm² s^?1).     

PHOTOFRAGMENTATION OF HYDROXYACETONE, 1.3-DIHYDROXYACETONE, AND 1.3-DICARBOXYACETONE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION. AN EPR STUDY

Abstract —On photoexcitation, hydroxyacetone undergoes a Norrish-type-1 fragmentation to yield CH₃CO and CH₂OH. CH₂OH is identified by its EPR spectrum. The existence of CH₃CO is inferred from the presence of diacetyl and acetaldehyde in irradiated solutions. Above pH 5, in addition to CH₂OH, the cis and trans forms of the hydroxyacetone enediol radical anion, CH₃C(O^-)=C(O***)H, are detected. 1.3-Dihydroxyacetone is photodecomposed to HOCH₂C?O and C?H₂OH. The former radical decarbonylates to yield CH₂OH and CO. At 254 nm the overall quantum yield of CO production is 0.75. Above pH 5, in addition to CH₂OH, the cis and trans forms of the 1.3-dihydroxyacetone enediol radical anion, HOCH₂C(O^-)C(O***)H, are observed. Electronically excited hydroxyacetone and 1.3-dihydroxyacetone react exclusively by C-C fragmentation, and no H-abstraction from H-donors is observed. In contrast, electronically excited 1.3-dicarboxyacetone shows H-abstraction from H-donors in competition with C-C fragmentation. In the absence of H-donors, fragmentation resulting in CH₂CO₂^- and ^-O₂CCH₂C?O occurs followed by decarbonylation of ^-O₂H₂C?O. At 254 nm the quantum yield of CO production is 0.02. In the presence of H-donors, H-abstraction, yielding HO₂CCH₂C(OH)CH₂CO₂, predominates.     

Photoexcitation processes of CH3OH: Rydberg states and photofragment fluorescence

Photoabsorption and fluorescence cross sections of methanol vapor were mearured using synchrotron radiation. Weak structures observed in the 110–140 nm region are classified into three Rydberg series. Quasidiatomic repulsive potential curves for the states dissociating into CH₃ + OH(A²Σ⁺) are obtained from the measured fluorescence cross section. The photodissociation processes are discussed in accord with the fluorescence observed. The fluorescence quantum yield (< 0.8%) for photodissociation of CH₃OH is one order of magnitude smaller than that of H₂O, indicating a correlation that the fluorescence quantum yield decreases with increasing number of molecular orbitals.     

Branching ratio for S(33Pj) AND S(31D2) atom production in the photodissociation of CS2 at 193 nm

Resonance-enhanced photoionization has been used to follow S(³P₂) in the photodissociation of CS₂ at 193 nm. The contributions from initial photodissociation and from S(¹D) relaxation have been resolved and give a (15±5)% yield of S(¹D). The possibility of secondary production of S(³P_j) by CS photodissociation with a second 193 nm photon is discussed. Although this might raise the S(¹D) yield to (26±8)%, production of S(³P_J) is still the dominant photodissociation channel.