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.