Far infrared laser magnetic resonance spectra of the ClSO and FSO radicals in the gas phase

Abstract

The detection of the free radicals ClSO and FSO by the technique of far infrared laser magnetic resonance is reported. Observations of the former have been made with several laser lines; the spectra are complicated and have not been assigned but are attributed to ClSO on the basis of several chemical tests. The FSO radical was generated by the reaction of carbon disulphide with the products of a discharge through CF 4 + O 2. Spectra have been observed with laser lines at 394, 419 and 513 μm. Using the results of a subsequent microwave study of FSO, the rotational transitions involved in these spectra have been identified. The spectrum at 513 μm has been studied in detail and is shown to arise through level anticrossings between the levels 14 5, K c (the lower levels involved in the transition) and 15 4, K c +2 . All aspects of this spectrum are reproduced quantitatively by the parameters determined from the microwave spectrum. It is thought that the other two FSO spectra arise in a similar manner. Such anticrossing signals are likely to be widespread in LMR experiments, causing intense narrow lines to occur at high magnetic fields even for molecules with weakly coupled electron spin.