Knowledge Bank

Electronic spectra of zinc cyclopentadienide $(ZnC5H5)$ and cadmium cyclopentadienide $(CdC5H5)$ will be presented. Preparation of these radicals, neither of which has been observed previously in the gas phase, was achieved using a laser vaporization/photolysis technique. The $A~-X¯$ and $B¯-X¯$ electronic transitions of both of these molecules have been recorded. Assignments of the symmetries of the low-lying electronic states of $ZnC3H5$ and $CdC5H5$ will be given and an analysis of the vibrational structure observed in their spectra will be discussed.""