title: Confirmed assignments of isomeric dimethylbenzyl radicals generated by corona discharge.
abstract: The controversial vibronic assignments of isomeric dimethylbenzyl radicals were clearly resolved by using different precursors. By employing corresponding dimethylbenzyl chlorides as precursors, we identified the origins of the vibronic bands of the dimethylbenzyl radicals generated by corona discharge of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene. From the analysis of the spectra observed from the dimethylbenzyl chlorides in a corona excited supersonic expansion, we revised previous assignments of the 3,4-, 2,4-, and 2,5-dimethylbenzyl radicals. Spectroscopic data of electronic transition and vibrational mode frequencies in the ground electronic state of each isomer were accurately determined by comparing them with those obtained by an ab initio calculation and with the known vibrational data of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and The Chemistry Institute for Functional Materials, Pusan National University, Pusan 609-735, South Korea.
authors.forename: Young Wook
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Sang Kuk
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee