Energy Partitioning in Molecular Photodissociation: Methyl Nitrite Photolysis

Abstract

The photodissociation of methyl nitrite CH₃ONO in three different electronically excited states has been studied by determining the internal state distribution of one of the photofragments. The fluorescence of NO A Σ2⁺ produced for excitation of CH₃ONO between 1200 and 1650 Å and of CH₃O ² A₁ produced at 1930 Å has been investigated. The vibrational distribution in both species can be explained by statistical considerations. The rotational excitation of NO A Σ2⁺ is of Boltzmann type. For CH₃ONO excited in the first nπ* excited state at 3550 Å the NO X fragment has been probed by a two photon laser excited fluorescence technique. The nascent NO X υ″ = 0, 1, 2, 3 exhibit a population inversion and a high degree of rotational excitation.