The high resolution absorption spectroscopy of aromatic free radicals

Department of Chemistry, The University, Sheffield 10, England.

Abstract

The flash photolysis of aromatic molecules at high resolution, using long path lengths, has enabled us to observe a wealth of new spectra. In particular the weak, long wavelength transition of benzyl and substituted benzyl radicals has been observed. Their assignment to benzyl, rather than, for example, to an isomeric tropyl radical is confirmed and the structure of the spectrum is discussed. Brief reference is made to other transient spectra which we have recently recorded, including the spectrum of the phenyl radical.