Abstract

This paper deals with the photochemistry of ordered states. Order can be achieved by forming complexes at the crossing point of a beam of sodium and a beam of halide, and then inducing a harpooning photoreaction using tuneable visible light that excites the Na moiety in the (Na)_n…(XR)_n complex (XR is an organic halide). The electronically excited species (Na)^*_m….(XR)_n (in which (Na)^*_m has a lower ionization potential than has ground-state (Na)_m) is thought to undergo a harpooning reaction, ie a transition to (NA)⁺_m…(XR)_n in which (XR)_n is unstable, and reaction to give sodium halide ensues. This work extends into the realm of the classic alkali metal harpooning-reactions the pioneering work of Soep’s and Wittig’s laboratories on photoreaction in gaseous complexes.

© 1996 Optical Society of America