title: Laboratory evidence for a key intermediate in the Venus atmosphere: peroxychloroformyl radical.
abstract: For two decades, the peroxychloroformyl radical, ClC(O)OO, has played a central role in models of the chemical stability of the Venus atmosphere. No confirmation, however, has been possible in the absence of laboratory measurements for ClC(O)OO. We report the isolation of ClC(O)OO in a cryogenic matrix and its infrared and ultraviolet spectral signatures. These experiments show that ClC(O)OO is thermally and photolytically stable in the Venus atmosphere. These experimental discoveries validate the existence of ClC(O)OO, confirm several longstanding model assumptions, and provide a basis for the astronomical search for this important radical species.
authors.affiliation: Fachbereich C-Anorganische Chemie, Universität Wuppertal, Gauss-Strasse 20, D-42119 Wuppertal, Germany.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pernice
authors.forename: Placido
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Helge
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Willner
authors.forename: Joseph S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Francisco
authors.forename: Franklin P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Yuk L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Yung