Mechanistic variances in NO release: ortho vs. meta isomers of nitrophenol and nitroaniline.

The NO release following 266 nm photolysis of ortho and meta isomers of nitrophenol and nitroaniline shows a bimodal translational energy distribution, wherein the slow and fast components originate from dynamics in the S0 and T1 states, respectively. The translational energy distribution profiles for any NO product state show a higher slow-to-fast (s/f) branching ratio for the ortho isomer in comparison with the meta isomer. The observed variation in the s/f branching ratio vis-à-vis the ortho and meta isomers is attributed to the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the ortho substituent and NO2 moiety, which favours the roaming mechanism.

Dissociative Photoionization of Dimethylpyridines and Trimethylpyridine at 266 nm: Dynamics of Methyl Radical Release.

The 266 nm photolysis of various positional isomers of dimethylpyridines and trimethylpyridine was investigated by measuring the translational energy distribution of the methyl radical following {sp2}C-C{sp3} bond dissociation. The observed translational energy distribution is attributed to the dissociative photoionization in the cationic ground state following [1 + 1 + 1] three-photon absorption. The translational energy distribution profiles of the methyl radical were broad with the maximum translation energy in excess of 2 eV, which originates due to the dissociation of {sp2}C-C{sp3} bond ortho to the N atom in the ring. The dynamics of {sp2}C-C{sp3} bond dissociation in the cationic ground state of methylpyridines is marginally dependent on the number and position of the methyl groups; similar to xylenes, however, it is site-selective with the preferential cleavage of C-C bond in the ortho position to the pyridinic nitrogen atom, which is attributed to the relative stability of the resulting radical cation.

Dynamics of Methyl Radical Formation Following 266 nm Dissociative Photoionization of Xylenes and Mesitylene.

The 266 nm dissociative photoionization of three xylene isomers and mesitylene leading to the formation of methyl radical was examined. The total translational energy distribution profiles [P(ET)] for the methyl radical were almost identical for all of the three isomers of xylene and mesitylene, while a substantial difference was observed for the corresponding P(ET) profile of the co-fragment produced by loss of one methyl group in m-xylene. This observation is attributed to the formation of the methyl radical from alternate channels induced by the probe. The P(ET) profiles were rationalized based on the dissociation of {sp2}C-C{sp3} bond in the cationic state, wherein the {sp2}C-C{sp3} bond dissociation energy is substantially lower relative to the neutral ground state. The dissociation in the cationic state follows a resonant three-photon absorption process, resulting in a maximum translational energy of about 1.6-1.8 eV for the photofragments in the center-of-mass frame. Fitting of the P(ET) profiles to empirical function reveals that the dynamics of {sp2}C-C{sp3} bond dissociation is insensitive to the position of substitution but marginally dependent on the number of methyl groups.

Photodissociation dynamics of benzoyl chloride at 235 nm: resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization detection of Cl and HCl.

The photodissociation dynamics of benzoyl chloride at 235 nm has been investigated and compared with that of 2-furoyl chloride. Atomic Cl and molecular HCl channels have been detected in benzoyl chloride by employing resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization technique and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Both the Cl fragments, Cl((2)PJ=3/2, relative quantum yield 0.70 ± 0.15) and Cl*((2)PJ=1/2), show isotropic angular distribution and bimodal translational energy distributions. The predominant high kinetic energy channel contributes 72% to the C-Cl bond scission and arises from the S1 state having nπ* character of benzoyl chloride. However, the low-energy Cl and HCl channels originate from the ground electronic state. The most plausible mechanism of HCl formation is proposed based on molecular orbital calculations. In contrast to benzoyl chloride, the HCl channel is not observed in 2-furoyl chloride on excitation at 235 nm, and this is attributed to an energy constraint.

Photodissociation dynamics of enolic 1,2-cyclohexanedione at 266, 248, and 193 nm: mechanism and nascent state product distribution of OH.

The photodissociation dynamics of 1,2-cyclohexanedione (CHD), which exists in enolic form in gas phase, is studied using pulsed laser photolysis (LP)-laser induced fluorescence (LIF) "pump-and-probe" technique at room temperature. The nascent state distribution of the OH radical, formed after initial photoexcitation of the molecule to it is (π, π*) and Rydberg states, is determined. The initial (π, π*) and Rydberg states are prepared by excitation with the fourth harmonic output of Nd:YAG (266 nm)/KrF (248 nm) and ArF (193 nm) lasers, respectively. The ro-vibrational distribution of the nascent OH photofragment is measured in collision-free conditions using LIF. The OH fragments are formed in the vibrationally cold state at all the above wavelengths of excitation but differ in rotational state distributions. At 266 nm photolysis, the rotational population of OH shows a curvature in Boltzmann plot, which is fairly described by two types of Boltzmann-like distributions characterized by rotational temperatures of 3100 ± 100 and 900 ± 80 K. However, at 248 nm photolysis, the rotational distribution is described by a single rotational temperature of 950 ± 80 K. The spin-orbit and Λ-doublets ratios of OH fragments formed in the dissociation process are also measured. The average translational energy in the center-of-mass coordinate, partitioned into the photofragment pairs of the OH formation channels, is determined to be 12.5 ± 3.0, 12.7 ± 3.0, and 12.0 ± 3.0 kcal/mol at 266, 248, and 193 nm excitation, respectively. The energy partitioning into various degrees of freedom of products is interpreted with the help of different models, namely, statistical, impulsive, and hybrid models. To understand the nature of the dissociative potential energy surface involved in the OH formation channel, detailed ab initio calculations are performed using configuration interaction-singles (CIS) method. It is proposed that at 266 nm photolysis, the OH fragment is formed from two different excited state structures, one with a strong H bonding, similar to that in the ground state, and another without effective H bonding, whereas, at 248 nm photodissociation, it seems that the OH formation occurs mainly from the excited state, which lacks effective H-bonding. At 193 nm excitation, the initially prepared population in the Rydberg state crosses over to a nearby σ* repulsive state along the C-O bond, from where the dissociation takes place. The exit barrier for the OH dissociation channel is estimated to be 14 kcal/mol. The existence of dynamical constraint due to strong hydrogen bond in the ground state is effectively present in the dissociation process at 266 and somewhat deficient at 248 nm photolysis.

Photodissociation dynamics of halogenated thiophenes at 235 nm: a resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization-time-of-flight (REMPI-TOF) study.

The photodissociation dynamics of halogen-substituted thiophenes, namely, 2-chlorothiophene and 2-bromo-5-chlorothiophene, has been studied in a supersonic molecular beam around 235 nm, using resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) time-of-flight (TOF) technique, by detecting the nascent state of the primary halogen atoms. A single laser has been used for excitation of halothiophenes, as well as for the REMPI detection of photoproducts, namely, chlorine and bromine atoms, in their spin-orbit states X((2)P(3/2)) and X*((2)P(1/2)). We have determined the translational energy distribution, the recoil anisotropy parameter, ß, and the spin-orbit branching ratio, for chlorine and bromine atom elimination channels. State-specific TOF profiles are converted into kinetic energy distributions, using a least-squares fitting method, taking into account the fragment anisotropies, ß(ι). The TOF profiles for Cl, Cl*, Br, and Br* are found to be independent of laser polarization; i.e., the ß is well characterized by a value of ~0.0, within the experimental uncertainties. For 2-chlorothiophene, we have observed two components for the Cl and only one component for the Cl* atom elimination channel in the translational energy distributions. The average translational energies for the fast and the slow components of the Cl channel are 3.0 ± 1.0 and 1.0 ± 0.5 kcal/mol, respectively. For Cl*, the average translational energy is 3.5 ± 1.0 kcal/mol. For 2-bromo-5-chlorothiophene, we have observed only one component for Cl, Cl*, Br, and Br* in the translational energy distributions. The average translational energies for the Cl and Cl* channels are 3.5 ± 1.0 and 5.0 ± 1.0 kcal/mol, respectively, whereas the average translational energies for the Br and Br* channels are 2.0 ± 1.0 and 3.5 ± 1.0 kcal/mol, respectively. The energy partitioning into the translational modes is interpreted with the help of various models, such as impulsive and statistical models. The ΔH(f)(298) value for 2-chlorothiophene has been estimated theoretically to be 23.5 kcal/mol.

Laser-induced UV photodissociation of 2-bromo-2-nitropropane: dynamics of OH and Br formation.

Photoexcitation of 2-bromo-2-nitropropane (BNP) at 248 and 193 nm generates OH, Br, and NO(2) among other products. The OH fragment is detected by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, and its translational and internal state distributions (vibration, rotation, spin-orbit, and Λ-doubling components) are probed. At both 248 and 193 nm, the OH fragment is produced translationally hot with the energy of 10.8 and 17.2 kcal∕mol, respectively. It is produced vibrationally cold (v" = 0) at 248 nm, and excited (v" = 1) at 193 nm with a vibrational temperature of 1870 ± 150 K. It is also generated with rotational excitation, rotational populations of OH(v" = 0) being characterized by a temperature of 550 ± 50 and 925 ± 100 K at 248 and 193 nm excitation of BNP, respectively. The spin-orbit components of OH(X(2)Π) are not in equilibrium on excitation at 193 nm, but the Λ-doublets are almost in equilibrium, implying no preference for its π lobe with respect to the plane of rotation. The NO(2) product is produced electronically excited, as detected by measuring UV-visible fluorescence, at 193 nm and mostly in the ground electronic state at 248 nm. The Br product is detected employing resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization with time-of-flight mass spectrometer for better understanding of the dynamics of dissociation. The forward convolution analysis of the experimental data has provided translational energy distributions and anisotropy parameters for both Br((2)P(3∕2)) and Br∗((2)P(1∕2)). The average translational energies for the Br and Br∗ channels are 5.0 ± 1.0 and 6.0 ± 1.5 kcal∕mol. No recoil anisotropies were observed for these products. Most plausible mechanisms of OH and Br formation are discussed based on both the experimental and the theoretical results. Results suggest that the electronically excited BNP molecules at 248 and 234 nm relax to the ground state, and subsequently dissociate to produce OH and Br through different channels. The mechanism of OH formation from BNP on excitation at 193 nm is also discussed.

Dynamics of Cl (2Pj) atom formation in the photodissociation of fumaryl chloride (ClCO - CH = CH - COCl) at 235 nm: a resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) time-of-flight (TOF) study.

The photodissociation dynamics of fumaryl chloride (ClCO-CH═CH-COCl) has been studied in a supersonic molecular beam around 235 nm using resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) time-of-flight (TOF) technique by detecting the nascent state of the primary chlorine atom. A single laser has been used for excitation of fumaryl chloride and the REMPI detection of chlorine atoms in their spin-orbit states, Cl ((2)P(3/2)) and Cl* ((2)P(1/2)). We have determined the translational energy distribution, the recoil anisotropy parameter, ß, and the spin-orbit branching ratio for chlorine atom elimination channels. To obtain these, measured polarization-dependent and state-specific TOF profiles are converted into kinetic energy distributions, using a least-squares fitting method, taking into account the fragment recoil anisotropies, ß(i). The TOF profiles for both Cl and Cl* are found to be independent of laser polarization; i.e., ß is well characterized by a value of 0.0, within the experimental uncertainties. Two components, namely, the fast and the slow, are observed in the translational energy distribution, P(E(T)), of Cl and Cl* atoms, and assigned to be formed from different potential energy surfaces. The average translational energies for the fast components of the Cl and Cl* channels are 14.9 ± 1.6 and 16.8 ± 1.6 kcal/mol, respectively. Similarly, for the slow components, the average translational energies of the Cl and Cl* channels are 3.4 ± 0.8 and 3.1 ± 0.8 kcal/mol, respectively. The energy partitioning into the translational modes is interpreted with the help of various models, such as impulsive and statistical models. Apart from the chlorine atom elimination channel, molecular hydrogen chloride (HCl) elimination is also observed in the photodissociation process. The HCl product has been detected, using a REMPI scheme in the region of 236-237 nm. The observation of the molecular HCl in the dissociation process highlights the importance of the relaxation process, in which the initially excited parent molecule relaxes to the ground state from where the molecular (HCl) elimination takes place.

Dynamics of N-OH bond dissociation in cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone oxime at 193 nm: laser-induced fluorescence detection of nascent OH (v'', J'').

Cyclohexanone oxime (CHO) and cyclopentanone oxime (CPO) in the vapor phase undergo N-OH bond scission upon excitation at 193 nm to produce OH, which was detected state selectively employing laser-induced fluorescence. The measured energy distribution between fragments for both oximes suggests that in CHO the OH produced is mostly vibrationally cold, with moderate rotational excitation, whereas in CPO the OH fragment is also formed in v'' = 1 (~2%). The rotational population of OH (v'' = 0, J'') from CHO is characterized by a rotational temperature of 1440 ± 80 K, whereas the rotational populations of OH (v'' = 0, J'') and OH (v'' = 1, J'') from CPO are characterized by temperatures of 1360 ± 90 K and 930 ± 170 K, respectively. A high fraction of the available energy is partitioned to the relative translation of the fragments with f(T) values of 0.25 and 0.22 for CHO and CPO, respectively. In the case of CHO, the Λ-doublet states of the nascent OH radical are populated almost equally in lower rotational quantum levels N'', with a preference for Π(+) (A') states for higher N''. However, there is no preference for either of the two spin orbit states Π(3/2) and Π(1/2) of OH. The nascent OH product in CPO is equally distributed in both Λ-doublet states of Π(+) (A') and Π(-) (A'') for all N'', but has a preference for the Π(3/2) spin orbit state. Experimental work in combination with theoretical calculations suggests that both CHO and CPO molecules at 193 nm are excited to the S(2) state, which undergoes nonradiative relaxation to the T(2) state. Subsequently, molecules undergo the N-OH bond dissociation from the T(2) state with an exit barrier to produce OH (v'', J'').