Gas phase multiphoton photodissociation of Mn2(CO)10: The effect of collisions on photofragmentation

Multiphoton dissociation of Mn2(CO)10 followed by multiphoton ionization of the generated fragments is accomplished with a single tunable pulsed dye laser. Efficient dissociation to bare Mn atoms occurs over a broad range of wavelengths via a sequential photodissociation mechanism. Spectral changes upon addition of buffer gases are shown to reflect collisional effects on intermediates in the dissociation process.