Matrix isolation studies of alkyl radicals. The characteristic infrared spectra of primary alkyl radicals

Matrix isolation studies are presented which demonstrate that high quality infrared spectra of alkyl radicals may be obtained by photochemical decomposition of diacyl peroxides. The infrared spectrum of the n-propyl radical is shown and data are presented for the n-butyl radical. These result are discussed along with those previously presented for the ethyl radical in order to establish characteristic features for the infrared spectra of alkyl radicals.