FTIR spectroscopic studies of the matrix photoionization and photolysis products of methylene halides

Matrix photoionization of methylene bromide produced absorptions at 1019, 897, and 788 cm^?1 identified previously as CBr₂⁺, CHBr₂⁺, and CHBr₂. High-resolution FTIR spectra revealed overlapping 1/2/1 triplets for natural bromine isotopes with individual linewidths near 0.2 cm^?1. New absorptions at 3121, 2897, and 1345 cm^?1 are assigned to the (CH₂Br⁺)Br cation complex which yields CHBr₂⁺ on photolysis. A substantially increased yield of the CHCl₂⁺ species made possible observation of the CH stretching mode at 3033 cm^?1 and the symmetric CCl₂ stretching mode at 845 cm^?1 along with the previously observed stronger 1291- and 1044-cm^?1 fundamentals. The high resolution and enhanced signal-to-noise capability of the FTIR are clearly demonstrated in this investigation.