The dissociation energy of gaseous diatomic sulfur

Abstract

Three limiting curves of predissociation for the F 1 , F 2 , and F 3 components of the state B 3 Z u − of S 2 have been obtained following a detailed rotational analysis of emission and absorption bands of 32 S 2 , 34 S 2 , and 32 S 34 S. The three curves extrapolate to identical limits, at 35 999.0 ± 2.5 cm −1 above the minimum in X 3 Σ g − . The predissociating state is thereby identified as a 1 u state, and arguments based upon (i) the noncrossing rule for states of like Ω and (ii) a comparison of the observed shapes of the limiting curves with those calculated on the basis of long-range forces, indicate that the products at this limit are S( 3 P 2 ) + S( 3 P 1 ). D 0 0 ( 32 S 2 ) is then 35 216.4 ± 2.5 cm −1 , or 100.69 ±.01 kcal mole −1 .