MATRIX INFRARED STUDIES OF OF RADICAL SYSTEMS

The photolysis of OF2-N2O or OF2-CO2 combinations in a nitrogen matrix at 4°K has produced increased yields of OF radical compared to OF2 without added N2O or CO2. The OF radical was also observed when F2-N2O was photolyzed in a nitrogen or argon matrix at 4°K. This latter observation confirms a previously proposed mechanism and supports a lower-limit estimate of about 40 kcal/mol for the bond energy of OF. No radical was observed during the photolysis of F2-CO2 in nitrogen and alternate mechanisms involving CO3 are proposed.