Infrared photodissociation of (NO)n + x X cluster ions (n < or = 5).
Measurements of the infrared photodissociation pathways and spectra of size-selected (NO)n +X complexes, for n in the range 2-5, have been carried out using a line-tuneable CO laser (photon energy 1600-1800 cm(-1)). X is one of Ar, Kr, Xe, O2, CO2, CH3Cl, CF4 or SF6. Two photoinduced fragmentation pathways have been monitored as a function of radiation wavelength: the loss of NO and the loss of X. The photofragmentation patterns and branching ratios are influenced by two factors: (i) the value of n; and to a lesser degree, (ii) the nature of the atom/molecule, X. A limited number of IR spectra have been recorded for the dimer, (NO)2+, in association with the rare gas atoms and CF4; for the remaining examples, the trimer, (NO)3+, appears to act as a stable core with a comparatively large infrared absorption cross-section at ca. 1720 cm(-1).
School of Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, UK BN1 9QJ.
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