Flash photolysis of SnCl2 and SnCl4. Dissociation energies of SnCl2 and SnCl

Abstract

SnCl₂ is dissociated to SnCl and Cl by absorption of light in the 320 nm region. This sets a maximum value to the dissociation energy of SnCl₂. Further consideration of thermochemical and spectroscopic data gives the probable values of the dissociation energies of SnCl₂ and SnCl as 370 ± 20 and 420 ± 20 kJ mol^–1 respectively.

SnCl₂, SnCl, and Sn are observed during the flash photolysis of SnCl₄. SnCl₂ is produced by decomposition of vibrationally excited SnCl₃ formed in the primary photolysis. SnCl is produced by secondary photolysis of SnCl₂ and reacts with SnCl₄ at a rate approaching the encounter rate. Sn also reacts rapidly with SnCl₄.