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Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy Study of Polyatomic Molecular Systems Under Pyrolytic Conditions

Citation

Xavier, Isaac de Melo, Jr. (1989) Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy Study of Polyatomic Molecular Systems Under Pyrolytic Conditions. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/4wx9-6j66. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:10232013-093350784

Abstract

The technique of variable-angle, electron energy-loss spectroscopy has been used to study the electronic spectroscopy of the diketene molecule. The experiment was performed using incident electron beam energies of 25 eV and 50 eV, and at scattering angles between 10° and 90°. The energy-loss region from 2 eV to 11 eV was examined. One spin-forbidden transition has been observed at 4.36 eV and three others that are spin-allowed have been located at 5.89 eV, 6.88 eV and 7.84 eV. Based on the intensity variation of these transitions with impact energy and scattering angle, and through analogy with simpler molecules, the first three transitions are tentatively assigned to an n → π* transition, a π - σ* (3s) Rydberg transition and a π → π* transition.

Thermal decomposition of chlorodifluoromethane, chloroform, dichloromethane and chloromethane under flash-vacuum pyrolysis conditions (900-1100°C) was investigated by the technique of electron energy-loss spectroscopy, using the impact energy of 50 eV and a scattering angle of 10°. The pyrolytic reaction follows a hydrogen-chloride α-elimination pathway. The difluoromethylene radical was produced from chlorodifluoromethane pyrolysis at 900°C and identified by its X̃¹A₁ → ùB₁ band at 5.04 eV.

Finally, a number of exploratory studies have been performed. The thermal decomposition of diketene was studied under flash vacuum pressures (1-10 mTorr) and temperatures ranging from 500°C to 1000°C. The complete decomposition of the diketene molecule into two ketene molecules was achieved at 900°C. The pyrolysis of trifluoromethyl iodide molecule at 1000°C produced an electron energy-loss spectrum with several iodine-atom, sharp peaks and only a small shoulder at 8.37 eV as a possible trifluoromethyl radical feature. The electron energy-loss spectrum of trichlorobromomethane at 900°C mainly showed features from bromine atom, chlorine molecule and tetrachloroethylene. Hexachloroacetone decomposed partially at 900°C, but showed well-defined features from chlorine, carbon monoxide and tetrachloroethylene molecules. Bromodichloromethane molecule was investigated at 1000°C and produced a congested, electron energy-loss spectrum with bromine-atom, hydrogen-bromide, hydrogen-chloride and tetrachloroethylene features.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Chemistry
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemistry
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Kuppermann, Aron
Thesis Committee:
  • Weitekamp, Daniel P. (chair)
  • Kuppermann, Aron
  • Marcus, Rudolph A.
  • Gray, Harry B.
Defense Date:20 September 1988
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)UNSPECIFIED
Universidade Federal de PernambucoUNSPECIFIED
Department of Energy (DOE)UNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:10232013-093350784
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:10232013-093350784
DOI:10.7907/4wx9-6j66
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.452596DOIArticle adapted for Appendix 1.
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.452418DOIArticle adapted for Appendix 2.
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:8005
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By:INVALID USER
Deposited On:23 Oct 2013 17:34
Last Modified:11 Jan 2022 22:39

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