A comparison of the infrared multiphoton dissociation of C3H5C(CH3)3 and C3H5Ge(CH3)3

The CO2 laser-induced multiphoton dissociation (MPD) of C3H5X(CH3)3 molecules (X=C or Ge) in the gas phase was studied. Average energy absorbed by molecules with C at dissociation threshold is higher than that for Ge-containing molecules. The dependence of fragmentation probability of X(CH3)3, formed from MPD of C3H5X(CH3)3, on the laser fluence is different for molecules with C or Ge. The distinctions in MPD of these molecules can be attributed to the heavy-atom effect on the vibrational energy transfer over the molecule.