Spectroscopic Identification of Isomeric 2,3- and 2,6-Dimethylbenzyl Radicals in Corona Discharge

We resolved the controversial assignments of the visible vibronic bands observed from corona discharge of 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene. The vibronic bands belonging to the jet-cooled 2,6-dimethylbenzyl radical were clearly identified from the spectrum observed from corona discharge of 2,6-dimethylbenzyl chloride. After subtracting the bands of the 2,6-isomer from the spectrum observed from corona discharge of 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, the vibronic bands of the 2,3-isomer were also identified. By comparing data with the known vibrational data of 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene and the results of ab initio calculations, we determined the electronic energies of the $D_1{\rightarrow}D_0$ transitions and vibrational mode frequencies in the ground electronic states of the 2,3-and 2,6-dimethylbenzyl radicals.