Photochemistry and photophysics of small heterocyclic molecules: III. Continuous wave CO 2 laser chemistry of ethylene oxide

Abstract

The gas-phase continuous wave IR laser photolysis of ethylene oxide (oxirane) was examined in the presence of SiF4 as a sensitizer molecule. Acetaldehyde, ethylene, acetylene, methane and carbon monoxide are the resultant gaseous products detected by IR spectroscopy. No significant reaction occurs in the absence of this sensitizing agent or at laser frequencies not resonant with transitions of both oxirane and SiF4. The dependence of the photolysis on laser fluence, gas (total and/or sensitizer) pressure and laser wavelength was examined. The data are consistent with the involvement of highly vibrationally excited oxirane molecules produced by a combination of collisional and radiative processes. The product distribution is consistent with recent ab initio predictions. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.