A physical and chemical investigation of the nature and properties of the species formed in the Hg(63P1)–CO system

Abstract

An investigation of the Hg(63P1)–CO system by physical measurements (emission, pressure studies) relevant to the reported Hg*CO species have yielded no additional evidence of its formation.Chemical experiments on the decomposition of ethylene and H2 are in accord with formation of a long lived (> 10−5 s) species. The relative quenching rate constants of the species by C2H4, H2, and CO are 1:0.10–0.18:0.023, respectively.The reliability of the "carbon monoxide effect" as a criterion for distinguishing the nature of the quenching process is discussed in the light of a CO enhancement effect (~ 30%) observed in the Hg(63P1) photosensitized decomposition of hydrogen in the presence of CO and at conditions of incomplete quenching. An alternative to Hg*CO excimer formation is also discussed. This approach is based on the possible formation of Hg(63P0) atoms in quantities in excess of those currently accepted, when Hg–CO mixtures are irradiated with 2537 Å light.