Chemiluminescent reactions of fluorine atoms with organic iodides in the gas phase. Part 1.—Iodomethanes

Abstract

Visible chemiluminescence in the region 200–900 nm was measured for the reactions of F atoms with CH₄, CH₃I, CD₃I, CH₂I₂, CHI₃ and CI₄ studied at reduced pressure (ca. 0.6 mbar). Emission was observed from electronically excited IF^*(B), HCF^*(Ã), CH^*(A) and C^*₂(d) and from vibrationally excited HF. Vibrational populations and rotational temperatures were obtained for the diatomic emitters. The reaction F + CI₄ was found to produce IF^*(B) with a non-thermal vibrational population distribution that has excess population in the higher vibrational levels (ν′ > 4). Possible mechanisms for the formation of the emitters are discussed.