EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL-STUDIES OF THE PHOTOISOMERIZATION OF MALONALDEHYDE ISOLATED IN RARE-GAS MATRICES

The photochemistry of malonaldehyde (propanedial) has been studied usi ng high-resolution FT-IR spectrometry. The sample, isolated in rare ga s matrices (argon, krypton, and xenon), has been irradiated with broad band UV light. Experimental results have been compared to ab initio c alculations to identify the created species. These comparisons prove t he formation of some of the unstable stereoisomers of malonaldehyde. A detailed characterization of the new species has been performed.