Infrared absorption of C6H5SO2 detected with time-resolved Fourier-transform spectroscopy.

C6H5SO2 radicals were produced upon irradiation of three flowing mixtures: C6H5SO2Cl in N2, C6H5Cl and SO2 in CO2, and C6H5Br and SO2 in CO2, with a KrF excimer laser at 248 nm. A step-scan Fourier-transform spectrometer coupled with a multipass absorption cell was employed to record the time-resolved infrared (IR) absorption spectra of reaction intermediates. Two transient bands with origins at 1087.7 and 1278.2 cm-1 are assigned to the SO2-symmetric and SO2-antisymmetric stretching modes, respectively, of C6H5SO2. Calculations with density-functional theory (B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ and B3P86/aug-cc-pVTZ) predict the geometry and vibrational wave numbers of C6H5SO2 and C6H5OSO. The vibrational wave numbers and IR intensities of C6H5SO2 agree satisfactorily with the observed new features. Rotational contours of IR spectra of C6H5SO2 simulated based on predicted molecular parameters agree satisfactorily with experimental results for both bands. The SO2-symmetric stretching band is dominated by a- and c-type rotational structures and the SO2-antisymmetric stretching band is dominated by a b-type rotational structure. When C6H5SO2Cl was used as a precursor of C6H5SO2, C6H5SO2Cl was slowly reproduced at the expense of C6H5SO2, indicating that the reaction Cl+C6H5SO2 takes place. When C6H5Br/SO2/CO2 was used as a precursor of C6H5SO2, features at 1186 and 1396 cm-1 ascribable to C6H5SO2Br were observed at a later period due to secondary reaction of C6H5SO2 with Br. Corresponding kinetics based on temporal profiles of observed IR absorption are discussed.