Photochemistry of Zn+(CH4)

We report on the photodissociation spectroscopy of Zn+(CH4). Two overlappin g continuum absorption bands are observed in the spectral range 227-263 nm. The bands are assigned to transitions correlating with Zn+-based (4p - 4s) excitation and photoinduced charge transfer, respectively. The reactive pr oduct ZnCH3+ is the major dissociation product showing that the dominant qu enching pathway involves C-H bond insertion. Additional dissociation produc ts include CH3+, Zn+ and ZnH+ with a relative branching that depends on exc itation energy. Results are compared to previous Studies of the chemical qu enching of light metal atoms and ions by CH4. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.