Infrared detection of reactive species produced through flash photolysis
The spectroscopic study of transient species using flash photolysis has been most Jruitful during the last decade. Infrared spectroscopy has not, however, played its full partnership role with u.v. visible spectroscopy because of the absence of suitable rapid-scan or photographic techniques. vVhile the matrix iso1ation method opened the infrared study of free radicals, gas phase methods were still needed. Rapid-scan infrared spectroscopy was finally rea1ized with the successful operation of an instrument constructed by Herr1 •2• This spectrometer has been iin operation now for two years and has been applied to the detection of transient species, including free radicals, both in absorption and emission. New developments are appearing, both in the Berkeley laborato:ries and, more recently, at Mellon Institute through the work of Hand and Hexter3 •4 • It is tiimely to assess the results now attained and the prospects for the future.