Photofragment translational spectroscopy of p-bromotoluene at 266 nm

Photodissociation of p-bromotoluene at 266 nm has been investigated on the universal crossed molecular beam machine, and translational energy distribution P(E-t) as well as the anisotropy parameter beta have been obtained. Photofragment translational energy distribution P(E-t) reveals that similar to 38.5% of the available energy is partitioned into translational energy. The anisotropy parameter beta is determined to be -0.4 +/- 0.2. From P(E-t) and beta, we deduce that p-bromotoluene photodissociation is a fast process and the perpendicular transition plays a central role at this wavelength. The possible mechanism has been discussed and comparison of p-bromotoluene with bromobenzene, o-bromotoluene has also been made. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.