Chemiluminescent reactions of fluorine atoms with organic iodides in the gas phase. Part 1.—Iodomethanes

Visible chemiluminescence in the region 200–900 nm was measured for the reactions of F atoms with CH4, CH3I, CD3I, CH2I2, CHI3 and CI4 studied at reduced pressure (ca. 0.6 mbar). Emission was observed from electronically excited IF*(B), HCF*(Ã), CH*(A) and C*2(d) and from vibrationally excited HF. Vibrational populations and rotational temperatures were obtained for the diatomic emitters. The reaction F + CI4 was found to produce IF*(B) with a non-thermal vibrational population distribution that has excess population in the higher vibrational levels (ν′ > 4). Possible mechanisms for the formation of the emitters are discussed.