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Abstract
The infrared spectroscopy of propene and the propyl radicals has been studied using solid para-hydrogen (p-H2) matrix isolation and helium nanodroplet isolation (HENDI). First, the IR spectrum of propene was measured in these two hosts over the CH stretching region and analyzed to determine the role of matrix shifts in the analysis of anharmonic resonances. It was determined that differential matrix shifts between the two hosts cause certain bands to shift closer together while other bands shift farther apart. Second, the IR spectra of the propyl radicals were measured from 500 – 4000 cm-1 in solid p-H2 matrices and were compared against previous HENDI spectra measured over the CH stretching region. Previous assignments were confirmed, and many new assignments were made. Third, the tunneling kinetics were measured for the hydrogenation of propene reaction occurring within a p-H2 matrix to form the propyl radicals. The i-propyl radical was formed in significantly greater quantity than the n-propyl radical, and the reaction rate was limited by the quantum diffusion of hydrogen atoms through the matrix.