Absorption spectra of some carbon and tin halides in the vapour state

Abstract

The absorption spectra of the vapours of SnCl₄, SnBr₄ and of molecules of the types CX₄, CHX₃, and CH₂X₂ (X = Cl, Br, I) are investigated. From the number of maxima and their energy differences, and a comparison of the beginnings of the various absorption regions with thermochemical data, it is concluded that the first process of photodissociation corresponds not to the process MX₄ → MX₃ + X but to MX₄ → MX₂(¹Σ) + 2X etc.; the further absorption regions are due to one or two excited halogen atoms.