Transient species in the photolysis of sulphur monochloride, including S2(a1Δg).

Abstract

A number of transient spectra have been detected by kinetic spectroscopy in absorption following the photolysis of sulphur monochloride. Vibrationally excited S₂ in the ground electronic state with up to eight vibrational quanta have been observed together with the spectra of the optically metastable S₂(a¹Δ_g) and the sulphur atom. A number of transient diffuse spectra were observed, one of these being characterized by regular structure. It is proposed that this may be assigned to the SCl radical. The kinetic behaviour of these transient intermediates has been investigated and the basis of a mechanism describing the photolysis of S₂Cl₂ is given.