BARC/PUB/08/0848

 
  Photodissociation dynamics of nitrotoluene at 193 and 248 nm: Direct observation of OH formation  
     
 
Author(s)

SenGupta, S.; Upadhyaya, H. P.; Kumar, A.; Dhanya, S.; Naik, P. D.; Bajaj, P.

ABSTRACT

The photodissociation of nitrotoluenes at 193 and 248 nm was investigated, employing laser photolysis–laser induced fluorescence technique. OH was observed as a photoproduct on photodissociation of only o-nitrotoluene. At both the wavelengths of photolysis, OH was formed in both vibrationally ground state, n" = 0, and the excited state, n" = 1. The energy partitioned as translational energy of the photofragment, on photolysis at 193 and 248 nm, was found to be 15.2 ± 4.0 and 16.0 ± 3.5 kcal/mol, respectively. No preferential population of spin orbit states was observed at both the wavelengths. However, Λ-doublet states show non-statistical distribution at 248 nm photolysis. Various channels of dissociation leading to OH are examined. Based on partitioning of translational energy and Λ-doublet states ratios, OH formation is attributed to different isomers at two wavelengths.

 
 
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