Laser-induced fluorescence studies of excited Sr reactions: II. Sr(P-3(1))+CH3F, C2H5F, C2H4F2

The vibrational and rotational energy distributions of ground state SrF(X(2 )Sigma) formed in the reactions of electronically excited Sr(P-3(1)) with m ethylfluoride, ethylfluoride, and 1,1-difluoroethane have been studied by l aser-induced fluorescence. Although the reactions of ground state Sr with t hese reactants are exothermic, no SrF products are observed for those react ions in this study. The fraction of available energy disposed into the sum of rotational and vibrational energy of the SrF(X(2)Sigma) product is appro ximately the same for all three reactions, i.e., 40%. The reaction of Sr(P- 3(1)) with CH3F results in very low vibrational excitation in the SrF react ion product. The product vibration increases in going to C2H5F and C2H4F2. It is concluded that the alkyl group influences the energy disposal mechani sm in these reactions, and some suggestions are given for a partial explana tion of the observations. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-96 06(99)00922-8].