Mark A. Muyskens

Competition between photochemistry and energy transfer in ultraviolet-excited diazabenzenes. I. Photofragmentation studies of pyrazine at 248 nm and 266 nm

The quantum yield for the formation of HCN from the photodissociation of pyrazine excited at 248 nm and 266 nm is determined by IR diode probing of the HCN photoproduct. HCN photoproducts from excited pyrazine are produced via three different dissociation channels, one that is extremely “prompt” and two others that are “late.” The total quantum yield from all reaction channels obtained at low quencher gas pressures, φ=1.3±0.2 for 248 nm and 0.5±0.3 for 266 nm, is in agreement with preliminary studies of this process as well as recent molecular beam studies. To investigate if HCN production is the result of pyrazine multiphoton absorption, this photodissociation process has been further studied by observing the HCN quantum yield as a function of total quencher gas pressure (10 mTorr pyrazine, balance SF6) and as a function of 248 nm laser fluence from 2.8 to 82 mJ/cm2. At the highest SF6 pressures, the HCN quantum yield shows strong positive correlation with laser fluence, indicating that the “prompt” chan...

Photochemistry of UV-excited trifluoroacetylacetone and hexafluoroacetylacetone I: infrared spectra of fluorinated methylfuranones formed by HF photoelimination.

The photochemistry of gas-phase 1,1,1-trifluoroacetylacetone (TFAA) excited with ultraviolet (UV) light involves a significant photoelimination channel that produces hydrogen fluoride and a fluorinated methylfuranone, 2,2-difluoro-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (2FMF). This pathway is remarkable because it is a gas-phase unimolecular reaction that forms a five-membered ring product. This report is the first of such a TFAA photoelimination channel, which is similar to one observed with 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone (HFAA), resulting in 2,2-difluoro-5-trifluoromethyl-3(2H)-furanone. We present infrared spectral observations of 2FMF produced by pulsed, UV-laser excitation of TFAA, along with analogous results from HFAA, supported by density functional theory (DFT) computational studies. DFT results for the infrared spectrum of 5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone, the expected comparable acetylacetone photoelimination product, help suggest that UV excitation of acetylacetone fails to follow a similar type of photoelimination. We use a weighted RMS approach as a figure of merit for comparing calculated infrared frequencies with experimental data. Results from the three acetylacetones reveal how the presence of fluorine atoms in acetylacetone influences the gas-phase molecular photochemistry.

MACTLAC: Supporting liberal arts chemistry faculty

This association report describes the Midwestern Association of Chemistry Teachers in Liberal Arts Colleges, or MACTLAC. The unique service of this organization is that it provides a forum for discussing issues related to teaching chemistry and the support of chemistry teachers through networking with colleagues from different colleges. The association serves chemistry teachers at private liberal arts colleges in seven Midwestern states—Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The primary function of the organization is to arrange for a single, high quality meeting per year. It also provides a placement service, and accomplishes some activities through ad hoc committees. A brief description of the organizational structure and its annual meeting is given.