Ozone generation through photolysis of an oxygen matrix at 11 K: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identification of the O...O3 complex and isotopic studies

This article describes the Fourier transform infrared spectra of ozone obtained by photolysis of an oxygen matrix at λ≥245 nm. A complex between ozone and atomic oxygen was identified. Results with isotopic oxygen are consistent with a structure in which the oxygen atom is bonded to the central oxygen atom of ozone. Complex formation does not change the photochemistry of matrix isolated ozone. Investigation of the ozone formation was also performed based on the dissociation of normal and scrambled ozone isolated in oxygen matrix. Formation was found to be of a first order reaction limited by the initial number of reactive species. Results are compared with those in gas phase for which recently, molecular oxygen in highly excited vibrationally states has received attention as a possible source of stratospheric O3 via an autocatalytic process.