Molecular product formation from the charge-transfer state of C 6H 6I 2

Abstract

The C 6H 6 and I 2 molecular product fragments of the C 6H 6I 2 charge-transfer state have been investigated. Wavelength resolved studies show considerable rotational excitation of the benzene fragment and corresponding velocity spectra indicate a degree of translational excitation as well, consistent with rapid I 2 bond dissociation in a bent complex. Another product channel active in the gas phase complex that forms molecular iodine was identified from measurements of kinetic energy release in the I 2 fragment. The reaction mechanism is pictured as a charge-recombination step in the initially excited charge-transfer state, yielding I 2( X 1 Σ g +) and C 6H 6(ã 3B 1u). Comparisons are made to corresponding observations for arene-I 2 species in the condensed phase.