Abstract

Detection of product hydrogen molecules by multiphoton ionization using a high resolution VUV laser source gives the vibration, rotation, and kinetic energy distribution of hydrogen molecules following UV photolysis of 1,4-cyclohexadiene. The results show that the process is consistent with a concerted molecule elimination mechanism and provide a qualitative understanding of the transition state involved. Details of the Doppler profile of product hydrogen indicate that the kinetic energy of hydrogen gained from the dissociation process is dominated by the potential energy barrier.

© 1989 Optical Society of America