Energy Partitioning to Product Translation in the Infrared Multiphoton Dissociation of Diethyl Ether

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/j150643a012

The infrared multiphoton decomposition of diethyl ether (DEE) has been investigated by the cross laser-molecular beam technique.The center-of-mass product translation energy distributions (P(E')) were measured for the two dissociation channels: (1) DEE -> C2H5O + C2H5 and (2) DEE -> C2H5OH + C2H4.The shape of the P(E') measured for radical channel 1 is in agreement with the predictions of statistical unimolecular rate theory.The translational energy released in concerted reaction 2 peaks at 24 kcal/mol; this exceedingly high translational energy release with a relatively narrow distribution results from the recoil of the products from each other down the exit barrier.Applying statistical unimolecular rate theory, we estimate the average energy levels from which DEE dissociates to products using the measured P(E') for radical channel 1.