A SEARCH FOR THE LASER-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE OF THE FCO(X2A') RADICAL

A search was made for the laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectrum of the FCO radical produced in the reaction sequence. O + CF2 --> FCO + F O + FCO --> CO2 + F In the wavelength regions 278-282 and 288.5-294nm copious LIF from vibrationally excited CF2(X approximately 1A1) was observed, and was seen to be considerably quenched on addition of CO2. No additional LIF features were seen in regions in which FCO is known to absorb. Arguments are presented for this being due to the low quantum yield of fluorescence from FCO, and a lower limit of 294 nm is suggested for the onset of predissociation in the radical.