Photochemistry of Zn+(CH4)

We report on the photodissociation spectroscopy of Zn+(CH4). Two overlapping continuum absorption bands are observed in the spectral range 227–263 nm. The bands are assigned to transitions correlating with Zn+-based (4p←4s) excitation and photoinduced charge transfer, respectively. The reactive product ZnCH3+ is the major dissociation product showing that the dominant quenching pathway involves C–H bond insertion. Additional dissociation products include CH3+,Zn+, and ZnH+ with a relative branching that depends on excitation energy. Results are compared to previous studies of the chemical quenching of light metal atoms and ions by CH4.