Isomeric Trimethylbenzyl Radicals Produced by Corona Discharge of 1,2,3,5-Tetramethylbenzene

Abstract

Isomeric trimethylbenzyl radicals were generated and vibronically excited from precursor 1,2,3,5-tetramethylbenzene, isodurene, with a large amount inert carrier gas helium in a corona excited supersonic expansion (CESE) using a pinhole-type glass nozzle. A long-path monochromator was used to record the visible vibronic emission spectra of the jet-cooled benzyl-type radicals in the electronic transition. From the analysis of the spectra, we identified the evidence of the presence of three isomeric trimethylbenzyl radicals in the corona discharge, and obtained the electronic energy and a few vibrational mode frequencies in the ground electronic state for each isomer.