A Vibrational Analysis of the Absorption Spectrum of Furan in the Schumann Region

Abstract

The absorption spectrum of furan vapor between 2200 and 1550A shows three band systems which overlap slightly. The second of these with a 0–0 band at 52,230 cm^—1 has sharp bands which could be analyzed to reveal three prominent totally symmetrical vibration frequencies of the excited molecule of 1395 cm^—1, 848 cm^—1 and 1068 cm^—1. Other characteristic frequency differences in the more diffuse bands are noted. Since the furan was found to be comparatively stable to photochemical decomposition, measurements of the intensity of absorption were made.