The dissociation energy of gaseous diatomic sulfur

Abstract

Three limiting curves of predissociation for the F1, F2, and F3 components of the state B3Zu− of S2 have been obtained following a detailed rotational analysis of emission and absorption bands of 32S2, 34S2, and 32S34S. The three curves extrapolate to identical limits, at 35 999.0 ± 2.5 cm−1 above the minimum in X3Σg−. The predissociating state is thereby identified as a 1u state, and arguments based upon (i) the noncrossing rule for states of like Ω and (ii) a comparison of the observed shapes of the limiting curves with those calculated on the basis of long-range forces, indicate that the products at this limit are S(3P2) + S(3P1). D00 (32S2) is then 35 216.4 ± 2.5 cm−1, or 100.69 ±.01 kcal mole−1.