ELECTRONIC ABSORPTION OF ALKYL NITRITE RADICALS IN THE 300-700 NM REGION

Electronic absorption spectra of cis- and trans-2-butyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclohexyl nitrite radical are reported. These new species were generated photochemically in an Ar matrix at 12 K. All alkyl nitrite radicals exhibit a long wavelength absorption that extends into the red spectral region. It is assigned to excitation of a charge transfer state involving transfer of the electron on the C radical center to the nitrite group. The 300-400 nm region shows a vibronic progression similar to the well known S1(n(N)pi*) <-- S0 system of closed shell alkyl nitrites.