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Photoelectron spectroscopy of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, and tert-butyl radicals. Implications for the thermochemistry and structures of the radicals and their corresponding carbonium ions

Journal Article · · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00509a010· OSTI ID:5763206
The first photoelectron bands of the series of simple alkyl free radicals CH/sub 3/, CH/sub 3/CH/sub 2/, CH/sub 3/CD/sub 2/, CH/sub 3/CHCH/sub 3/, and C(CH/sub 3/)/sub 3/ have been obtained. The adiabatic and vertical ionization potentials, respectively, are 9.84 +- 0.02 eV for methyl radical, 8.39 +- 0.02 and 8.51 +- 0.02 eV for ethyl radical, 8.38 +- 0.02 and 8.50 +- 0.02 eV for ethyl-l,l-d/sub 2/ radical, 7.36 +- 0.02 and 7.69 +- 0.02 eV for isopropyl radical, and 6.70 +- 0.03 and 6.92 +- 0.03 eV for tert-butyl radical. The heats of formation of the corresponding carbonium ions are calculated to be 261.8 +- 0.5 kcal/mol for methyl cation, 219.2 +- 1.1 kcal/mol for ethyl cation, 187.3 +- 1.1 kcal/mol for isopropyl cation, and 162.9 +- 1.2 kcal/mol for tert-butyl cation. The implications of these data for the gas-phase proton affinity scale are explored. Band structure is resolved, and possible assignments are presented. The results are discussed in terms of the interactions of methyl groups with trigonal carbon radical and ion centers.
Research Organization:
California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena
OSTI ID:
5763206
Journal Information:
J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 101:15; ISSN JACSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English