Time-resolved Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy reveals the hidden bimolecular process of the ferrioxalate actinometer

Abstract

Step-scan Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to monitor the photochemical reactions following the 266 nm-photolysis of aqueous ferrioxalate solutions on microsecond-to-millisecond time scales. Together with most recent observations from ultrafast infrared spectroscopy the reported results finally disclose the full molecular-level mechanism of a photochemical system that is widely known as the Hatchard–Parker actinometer.