Observation of the (A)over-tilde-(X)over-tilde electronic transition of the CF3O2 radical

The first observation of a sharp, structured electronic spectrum for a fluorinated alkyl peroxy radical is reported using the technique of cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS). The Tao value for the (A) over tilde (2)A' -(X) over tilde (2)A transition of CF3O2 has been determined to be 6656(3) cm(-1) values for (A) over tilde state vibrational frequencies have also been determined. Initial kinetic observations on CF3O2 have been carried out, using CRDS to monitor its concentration. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.