Flash photolysis of carbon suboxide

Abstract

When carbon suboxide was flash-photolyzed isothermally the ultra-violet absorption spectrum of the C₃ radical at 4050 Å was observed strongly at short delay times. In addition, a series of new diffuse systems were detected in the wavelength regions 4300–4450 Å, 3400–3700 Å, 3100–3300 Å and a strong continuous absorption extending from 3100 Å to shorter wavelengths. The effect of CO₂, O₂, N₂, Ar, NO, CO, C₂H₂ and C₂H₄ on these systems has been investigated and the results obtained indicate that the new systems are due to either the singlet C₂O radical or some species produced in the fast reaction of C₂O (singlet) with C₃O₂. The reactions of O¹D and O³P with C₃O₂ and those of C₂O (singlet) with O₃, NO₂ and CN have also been investigated.