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Title: UV multiple-photon dissociation of Cr(CO)/sub 6/ to Cr* and CO: evidence for direct and sequential dissociation processes

Journal Article · · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00236a046· OSTI ID:6948445

Gas-phase photodissociation of metal carbonyls to metal atoms and CO is well-known. Multiphoton ionization experiments have shown that dissociation of the carbonyls to ground- and excited-state metal atoms is unexpectedly efficient relative to competing ionization processes. Because the mechanisms behind metal atom formation are not entirely clear, they have investigated the KrF* laser (248 nm) multiple-photon dissociation of Cr(CO)/sub 6/ to Cr* and CO in the gas phase. They present evidence that Cr* is formed by two processes: (1) a direct process, where Cr(CO)/sub 6/ is excited into a dissociative continuum, and (2) a sequential process, where a Cr(CO)/sub 4/ intermediate photoproduct absorbs an additional photon to produce Cr*. They monitored formation of Cr* by detecting the emission obtained upon unfocused KrF* laser irradiation of approx. 20 mtorr of Cr(CO)/sub 6/ contained in a flow cell. Laser fluences ranged from 3 to 40 mJ cm/sup -2/. Emission normal to the laser beam was dispersed by a monochromator (resolution 0.5-2 A) and detected by a photomultiplier tube in conjunction with a boxcar integrator. Standard lamps were used to calibrate the optical system.

Research Organization:
IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA
OSTI ID:
6948445
Journal Information:
J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Vol. 109:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English