Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization spectra of jet-cooled methanol and ethanol

The first spectroscopic study of the 3p ← nO multiphoton excitation of jet-cooled methanol and ethanol is presented. The mass-resolved resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectra of CH3OH and CD3OD are compared to the VUV absorption spectra. The 2 + 1 REMPI spectra of CH3CH2OH and CH3CH2OD have a well-resolved vibrational structure and are attribute to trans ethanol. The production of the methyl radical (from methanol and ethanol) is revealed by its 3 p z 2 A 2 ″ ← X ∼ 2 A 2 ″ 2 + 1 REMPI spectrum.