Rotationally Resolved Electronic Excitation Spectra of the Ethoxy B - 3 Transition

High-resolution electronic excitation spectra of the 0: and the 9; bands of the near-UV electronic transition of the ethoxy radical have been recorded. The ethoxy radical was produced in a free-jet expansion by photodissociation of ethyl nitrite (CzHsONO). Both spectra have a linewidth of about 400 MHz. A complete rotational analysis of the spectrum indicates that the electronic transition of ethoxy is C-type (perpendicular) and the ground-state spin-rotation splittings are fully resolved, while the excited state spin-rotation splittings are not resolved. The spin-rotational parameters are compared to the corresponding spin-rotational parameters of the closely related radicals, methoxy and vinoxy.