Ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence spectrum of fluorochlorocarbene in solid argon

CFCl has been produced for spectral investigation by matrix reactions of alkali metal atomic beams with CFCl₃ in argon followed by rapid quenching to 15°K on a tilted copper wedge. When these samples were irradiated with near uv light from a krypton ion laser, a very intense, highly structured fluorescence spectrum was observed. This emission system extended from about 25 000 cm^?1 to 15 000 cm^?1 and peaked in intensity at about 22 000 cm^?1. The three most intense progressions are assigned to transitions from a common excited state to ground state levels (0v₂0), (1v₂0) and (1v₂1). New molecular constants determined from these progressions include $\text{ω}{}_2{}^0\text{= 446}\text{cm}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$, x₂₂ = ?1.2 cm^?1, x₁₂ = ?3 cm^?1, x₂₃ = ?4 cm^?1, and x₁₃ = ?6 cm^?1. CFCl was also produced by in situ photolysis of CFCl₃ using laser plasma emission and by alkali metal atom reactions with CF₂Cl₂, CF₂ClBr, and CHFCl₂.