Complex Forming Reactions in Noble Gas Clusters

Abstract

We have succeeded in monitoring the complex-forming reaction between CH3F and HCl in a noble gas cluster environment. A diluted mixture of CH3F in Ar is expanded from a supersonic nozzle forming a beam of Ar clusters which contain one or more CH3F molecules and which can be characterized by bolometric photoevaporation IR spectroscopy using line tunable CO2 lasers. In the distance between the nozzle and the skimmer the clusters can also be exposed to a cross flux of HCl molecules. A fraction of the HCl molecules is picked-up by the clusters and the ensuing complex- forming reactions may be detected by monitoring the decrease (or lack thereof)’of the IR spectral peaks of the CH3F containing species (CH3F, (CH3F)2 and (CH3F)3) and the appearance of red shifted absorptions attributable to (CH3F)p (HCl)m complexes. The implications of these experiments for the study of chemical dynamics in a noble gas cluster environment are pointed out and the possibilities for future work discussed.