Infrared-Induced Reaction on MoO3 Using a Tunable Infrared Free Electron Laser

We observed the IR-induced reaction of C 2 H 5 OH on MoO 3 using a pulsed and tunable infrared free electron laser (IR-FEL). The IR-FEL-induced reaction showed wavelength dependency and requires light stronger than a certain threshold level. The C 2 H 5 OH was converted mainly to C 2 H 4 only when the MoO 3 was irradiated with focused IR-FEL at 967 and 814 cm -1 corresponding to Mo=O stretching modes, whereas IR light at 1200 cm -1 induced no reaction. The origin of this IR-FEL-induced reaction is discussed.