Two-Color Multiphoton Dissociation and Ionization of Ferrocene

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/j100404a021

The state disrtibutions and relative yields of iron atoms generated in the multiphoton dissociation of ferrocene by the combined radiation of an excimer laser (248 or 351 nm) and a dye laser in the region 430-452 nm were probed by multiphoton ionization.The use of different wavelengths alters the amount of energy deposited in ferrocene prior to dissociation.Comparison of the two-color work with spectra obtained with purely visible radiation reveals that 351-nm radiation is ineffective in producing rapid dissociation, whereas 248 nm produces iron in a large number of electronic states.The rapid production of iron appears to require 1.5 eV of excess energy above the dissociation threshold and is likely a direct dissociation on a repulsive surface.