Chemical rearrangement in the reaction of Fe+ with SF –6. New spectra of iron halides

Abstract

Fe⁺ and electrons were produced in the flash photolysis of Fe(CO)₅, diluted in an excess of inert gas. The effects of addition of SF₆ were investigated; conditions were discovered where essentialy all the electrons could be attached to SF₆ prior to neutralisation, without interfering with the photoionisation processes. The pseudo-bimolecular rate coefficient for reaction of SF^–₆ with Fe⁺ has been recorded, at 300 K in helium at 60 Torr, as 1.4(±0.4) 10^–7 cm³ ion^–1 s^–1.

Simultaneous with the occurrence of neutralisation of Fe⁺ by SF^–₆, FeF is generated. From a study of the kinetics of the reactions, it was concluded that FeF is produced in the reaction, Fe⁺+ SF^–₆→ FeF + SF₅. The FeF was detected in the lowest few vibrational quantum states.

In the flash photolysis of Fe(CO)₅ plus other halogen containing molecules, various new spectra of iron halides have been discovered. Some other new features are reported briefly.