HIGH-RESOLUTION ELECTRONIC SPECTROSCOPY OF MGCH3

The MgCH3 radical was produced by a laser ablation/photolysis techniqu e in a cold supersonic free-jet expansion and probed by laser induced fluorescence. Rotationally resolved spectra for both spin-orbit compon ents of the (A) over tilde (2)E<--(X) over tilde (2)A(1) electronic tr ansition have been recorded. The analysis of these spectra yields the rotational constants of MgCH3 and therefrom a structure for the radica l is proposed. A comparison is made among a series of alkyl organometa llic radicals. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.