Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Observation Of Catalytically Active Intermediates Produced By Laser Photolysis Of Iron Pentacarbonyl

The pulsed laser excitation of iron pentacarbonyl in solutions of 1-pentene photoinitiates a highly active catalytic process for isomerization of the olefin. This process is observed in situ by rapid scanning FTIR spectroscopy, allowing subsecond acquisition of spectra. These are deconvoluted into discrete spectral components which are assigned molecular formulas. Specific activities have been obtained for two catalytically significant complexes from a correlation of catalytic activity with compositional changes. A similar interpretation of multipulse and cw experiments allowed development of a comprehensive cycle of thermal and photochemical interconversions among components.