The Gas-Phase Infrared Spectra of Xylyl Radicals

The three isomers of the xylyl radical, C₈H₉, are possible intermediates in the formation of soot and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Their infrared spectra have been recorded by IR/UV ion dip spectroscopy using free electron laser radiation. The radicals were generated by flash pyrolysis from the corresponding nitrites and resonantly ionized via the D₃ ← D₀ transition around 310 nm. Mid-infrared spectra of the three xylyl isomers were recorded between 550 and 1700 cm^-1 and are in excellent agreement with computations, provided that overtones and combination bands are included in the simulation. The results show that the three xylyl isomers can be distinguished by their infrared spectra and that no isomerization occurs in the pyrolysis reactor. The IR spectra obtained at m/z = 208 indicate that dimerization of xylyl radicals leads to substituted stilbenes, which has not been observed for benzyl.

Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of the benzyl radical

We present a joint experimental and computational study of the nonradiative deactivation of the benzyl radical, C₇H₇, after UV excitation. Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron imaging was applied to investigate the photodynamics of the radical. The experiments were accompanied by excited state dynamics simulations using surface hopping. Benzyl has been excited at 265 nm into the D-band (ππ*) and the dynamics was probed using probe wavelengths of 398 nm or 798 nm. At a probe wavelength of 398 nm a single time constant of around 70-80 fs was observed. When the dynamics was probed at 798 nm, a second time constant τ₂ = 1.5 ps was visible, which can be attributed to further non-radiative deactivation to the lower-lying D₁/D₂ states.

Fluorescence spectrum of the benzyl radical in methylcyclohexane at 4.2 K

The fluorescence spectrum of the benzyl radical (BR) is characterized by participation of many totally symmetric vibrational modes with less intensity activeness. To make this point more clear, the fluorescence spectra of the benzyl radical and its deuterated compounds in methylcyclohexane (MCH) have been observed at 4.2 K and detailed vibrational analysis has been carried out. Two non-totally symmetric modes such as nu6b and nu8b play a role of Herzberg-Teller type vibronic coupling together with one totally symmetric mode nu6a. There are only a few progression bands with very weak intensity. These are nu12, nu1 and nu(phi-CH2) vibrational modes.

IN MY TIME: Scenes of Scientific Life

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▪ Abstract  A narrative account of the ingredients in the making of a young scientist, his wartime science in England, and subsequent career in France, where, starting in molecular electronic spectroscopy, he has grown older and has expanded his horizons to address problems of astrophysical, nonlinear optical, and biological interest, using, with the aid of many good scientists, a variety of techniques, mainly of optical and mass spectroscopies and with synchrotron radiation as an important excitation source. He has plans to continue….