Abstract Irradiation of cryogenic xenon matrices containing the sterically congested alkane tetra-tert-butylethane (1) with intense pulses from a KrF excimer laser (λ exc= 248 nm) have resulted in the formation of methane and isobutene as the major products. Larger fragments derived from 1, such as 2, 2-dimethylbutane (10), were also detected, whereas no evidence was obtained for the formation of the elusive tetra-tert-butylethylene (2). The results ...
