Spectroscopic evidence of α-methylbenzyl radical in the gas phase

We report the observation of the spectroscopic evidence of the α-methylbenzyl radical in a corona excited supersonic expansion using a pinhole-type glass nozzle for the first time. The precursors, toluene, ethylbenzene, and isopropylbenzene, seeded in a large amount of inert carrier gas helium, were electrically discharged to produce benzyl-type radicals as a result of the breaking off of a C–H or a C–C bond from the alkyl chain. The vibronic emission spectra, obtained in the visible region from the precursors, were compared to identify the species generated in the corona discharge of the precursors, from which we found the spectroscopic evidence of the α-methylbenzyl radical.