LASER-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE-SPECTRA OF CH3O

The methoxy radical has been directly detected by laser-induced fluorescence for the first time. Excitation at 292.6-316.5 nm produces fluorescence spectra in the 300-400 nm range. The excited state (A2At) is at about 31600 cm-1 above the ground state, and it has a vibrational mode at about 630 cm-1, which corresponds to CO stretching. The fluorescence displays a progression at 1020 cm-1 intervals corresponding to CO stretching in the ground state (X2E). Transitions are also observed corresponding to one quantum of vibrational excitation of the CH3 deformation mode (1380 cm-1 or of the bending mode of H3CO (680 cm-1). The fluorescence lifetime of A 2At is 1.5 μs at 0.3 Torr. © 1979.