IR spectra of cationic 1,5,9-triazacoronene and two of its cationic derivatives.

Infrared emission features are observed towards diverse astronomical objects in the interstellar medium (ISM). Generally, the consensus is that these IR features originate from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and are hence named aromatic infrared bands (AIBs). More recently, it has been suggested that nitrogen substituted PAHs (PANHs) contribute to the AIBs as well and it has even been shown that nitrogen inclusion in PAHs can improve the match with the AIBs, specifically around the 6.

Laser-induced fragmentation of coronene cations.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are an important component of the interstellar medium of galaxies and photochemistry plays a key role in the evolution of these species in space. Here, we explore the photofragmentation behaviour of the coronene cation (CH˙) using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The experiments show photodissociation fragmentation channels including the formation of bare carbon clusters (C˙) and hydrocarbon chains (CH).

Exploring the Scaling Factors for Infrared Modes of PANHs - A Case Study on Cationic 3-Azafluoranthene⋅ and Protonated 3-Azafluoranthene.

Infrared (IR) emission bands by interstellar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles (PANHs) are observed towards a large variety of interstellar objects and offer detailed insights into the chemistry and physics of the interstellar medium. The analysis of the emission bands, and thus the interpretation of the molecular characteristics of the carriers, heavily relies on the use of density functional theory (DFT) calculated IR spectra. However, there are significant challenges in accurately predicting the experimental IR band positions, particularly for PANH emission vibrational modes around 6 μm.

Photoprocessing of cationic triazacoronene: dissociation characteristics of polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles in interstellar environments.

Polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles (PANHs) are present in various astronomical environments where they are subjected to intense radiation. Their photodissociation pathways give crucial insights into the cycle of matter in the universe, yet so far only the dissociation characteristics of few PANHs have been investigated. Moreover, most experiments use single photon techniques that only reveal the initial dissociation step, and are thus unsuited to replicate astronomical environments and timescales.

Probing the electronic structure and ground state symmetry of gas phase C60+ via VUV photoionization and comparison with theory.

Recently, some of us reviewed and studied the photoionization dynamics of C60 that are of great interest to the astrochemical community as four of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) have been assigned to electronic transitions in the C60+ cation. Our previous analysis of the threshold photoelectron spectrum (TPES) of C60 [Hrodmarsson et al., Phys.

A far-ultraviolet-driven photoevaporation flow observed in a protoplanetary disk.

Most low-mass stars form in stellar clusters that also contain massive stars, which are sources of far-ultraviolet (FUV) radiation. Theoretical models predict that this FUV radiation produces photodissociation regions (PDRs) on the surfaces of protoplanetary disks around low-mass stars, which affects planet formation within the disks. We report James Webb Space Telescope and Atacama Large Millimeter Array observations of a FUV-irradiated protoplanetary disk in the Orion Nebula.

Threshold photoelectron spectroscopy and dissociative photoionization of benzonitrile.

The threshold photoionization and dissociative ionization of benzonitrile (CHCN) were studied using double imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence (PEPICO) spectroscopy at the Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) beamline of the Swiss Light Source (SLS). The threshold photoelectron spectrum was recorded from 9.6 to 12.

Photodissociation of quinoline cation: Mapping the potential energy surface.

A detailed exploration of the potential energy surface of quinoline cation (CHN) is carried out to extend the present understanding of its fragmentation mechanisms. Density functional theory calculations have been performed to explore new fragmentation schemes, giving special attention to previously unexplored pathways, such as isomerization and elimination of HNC. The isomerization mechanisms producing five- to seven-membered ring intermediates are described and are found to be a dominant channel both energetically and kinetically.

Comprehensive survey of dissociative photoionization of quinoline by PEPICO experiments.

Dissociative photoionization of quinoline induced by vacuum ultraviolet radiation is investigated using photoelectron-photoion coincidence spectroscopy. Branching ratios of all the detectable fragment ions are measured as a function of internal energy ranging from 2 to 30 eV. A specific generation hierarchy is observed in the breakdown curves of a set of dissociation channels.

Threshold Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Quinoxaline, Quinazoline, and Cinnoline.

The threshold photoelectron spectra of cinnoline, quinazoline, and quinoxaline, three small naphthalene-analogue polycyclic nitrogen-containing hydrocarbons of CHN composition, were recorded. The spectra are assigned to understand their electronic structure and the role of isomerism. Furthermore, this work provides reference data for the selective identification of such species as gas-phase reaction products at low number densities.

Formation of phenylacetylene and benzocyclobutadiene in the -benzyne + acetylene reaction.

-benzyne is a potentially important precursor for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formation, but much is still unknown about its chemistry. In this work, we report on a combined experimental and theoretical study of the -benzyne + acetylene reaction and employ double imaging threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy to investigate the reaction products with isomer specificity. Based on photoion mass-selected threshold photoelectron spectra, Franck-Condon simulations, and ionization cross section calculations, we conclude that phenylacetylene and benzocyclobutadiene (PA : BCBdiene) are formed at a non-equilibrium ratio of 2 : 1, respectively, in a pyrolysis microreactor at a temperature of 1050 K and a pressure of ∼20 mbar.

Five Birds with One Stone: Photoelectron Photoion Coincidence Unveils Rich Phthalide Pyrolysis Chemistry.

Phthalide pyrolysis has been assumed to be a clean fulvenallene source. We show that this is only true at low temperatures, and the CH isomers 1-, 2-, and 5-ethynylcyclopentadiene are also formed at high pyrolysis temperatures. Photoion mass-selected threshold photoelectron spectra are analyzed with the help of (time-dependent) density functional theory, (TD-)DFT, and equation-of-motion ionization potential coupled cluster, EOM-IP-CCSD, calculations, as well as Franck-Condon simulations of partly overlapping bands, to determine ionization energies.

Structural investigation of doubly-dehydrogenated pyrene cations.

The vibrationally resolved spectra of the pyrene cation and doubly-dehydrogenated pyrene cation (CH˙; Py and CH˙; ddPy) are presented. Infrared predissociation spectroscopy is employed to measure the vibrational spectrum of both species using a cryogenically cooled 22-pole ion trap. The spectrum of Py allows a detailed comparison with harmonic and anharmonic density functional theory (DFT) calculated normal mode frequencies.

Off the Beaten Path: Almost Clean Formation of Indene from the -Benzyne + Allyl Reaction.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) play an important role in chemistry both in the terrestrial setting and in the interstellar medium. Various, albeit often inefficient, chemical mechanisms have been proposed to explain PAH formation, but few yield polycyclic hydrocarbons cleanly. Alternative and quite promising pathways have been suggested to address these shortcomings with key starting reactants including resonance stabilized radicals (RSRs) and -benzyne.

Ion Dissociation Dynamics of 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydronaphthalene: Tetralin as a Test Case For Hydrogenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.

The unimolecular dissociation of ionized tetralin was probed by tandem mass spectrometry, imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence (iPEPICO) spectroscopy, and theory. The major reactions observed were the loss of the hydrocarbons CH, CH, and CH together with H-atom loss. RRKM modeling of the iPEPICO data suggested a two-well potential energy surface.

Nitrogen matters: the difference between PANH and PAH formation.

A solid understanding of and a reliable model for the formation pathways of polycyclic aromatic (nitrogen containing) hydrocarbons (PA(N)Hs) is needed to account for their abundance in the interstellar medium and in Titan's atmosphere as well as to mitigate the emission of these carcinogens in our terrestrial environment. We have investigated the phenyl + acrylonitrile reaction mechanism between 600 and 1200 K in a hot microreactor. Radical intermediates (C9H8N˙), formed by addition, and closed-shell C9H7N products, formed by subsequent hydrogen elimination, are isomer-selectively identified using photoion mass-selected threshold photoelectron spectroscopy in conjunction with Franck-Condon simulations.

Spectroscopic Characterization of the Product Ions Formed by Electron Ionization of Adamantane.

A structural characterization of the products formed in the dissociative electron ionization of adamantane (C H ) is presented. Molecular structures of product ions are suggested based on multiple-photon dissociation spectroscopy using the Free Electron Laser for Infrared eXperiments (FELIX) in combination with quantum-chemical calculations. Product ions are individually isolated in an ion trap tandem mass spectrometer and their action IR spectra are recorded.

Dissociative ionisation of adamantane: a combined theoretical and experimental study.

Diamond nanoparticles, or nanodiamonds, are intriguing carbon-based materials which, maybe surprisingly, are the most abundant constituent of presolar grains. While the spectroscopic properties of even quite large diamondoids have already been explored, little is known about their unimolecular fragmentation processes. In this paper we characterise the dissociative ionisation of adamantane (CH) - the smallest member of the diamondoid family - utilising imaging Photoelectron Photoion Coincidence (iPEPICO) spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations.

Dissociative Ionization and Thermal Decomposition of Cyclopentanone.

Despite the growing use of renewable and sustainable biofuels in transportation, their combustion chemistry is poorly understood, limiting our efforts to reduce harmful emissions. Here we report on the (dissociative) ionization and the thermal decomposition mechanism of cyclopentanone, studied using imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy. The fragmentation of the ions is dominated by loss of CO, C H , and C H , leading to daughter ions at m/z 56 and 55.

Facile pentagon formation in the dissociation of polyaromatics.

Energetic processing of gaseous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) plays a pivotal role in the chemistries of inter- and circumstellar environments, certain planetary atmospheres, and also in the chemistry of combustion and soot formation. Although the precursor PAH species have been extensively characterized, the products from these gaseous breakdown reactions have received far less attention. It has been particularly challenging to accurately determine their molecular structure in gas-phase experiments, where comparisons against theoretical modeling are best made.

The Influence of Metal Ion Binding on the IR Spectra of Nitrogen-Containing PAHs.

Astronomical IR emission spectra form the basis for the now widely accepted abundant presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in inter- and circumstellar environments. A small but consistent frequency mismatch is found between the astronomically observed emission band near 6.2 μm and typical CC-stretching vibrations of PAHs measured in laboratory spectra near 6.

Spectroscopic evidence for the formation of pentalene(+) in the dissociative ionization of naphthalene.

Although acetylene loss is well known to constitute the main breakdown pathway of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) species, the molecular structure of the dissociation products remains only poorly characterized. For instance, the structure of the C8H6 product ion formed upon acetylene loss from the smallest PAH naphthalene (C10H8) has not been experimentally established. Several C8H6(+) isomers are conceivable, including phenylacetylene, benzocyclobutadiene, pentalene as well as a number of a-cyclic products.

On the formation of cyclopentadiene in the C3H5˙ + C2H2 reaction.

The reaction between the allyl radical (C3H5˙) and acetylene (C2H2) in a heated microtubular reactor has been studied at the VUV beamline of the Swiss Light Source. The reaction products are sampled from the reactor and identified by their photoion mass-selected threshold photoelectron spectra (ms-TPES) by means of imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy. Cyclopentadiene is identified as the sole reaction product by comparison of the measured photoelectron spectrum with that of cyclopentadiene.

Dissociative photoionization of quinoline and isoquinoline.

Two nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon isomers of C9H7N composition, quinoline, and isoquinoline have been studied by imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy at the VUV beamline of the Swiss Light Source. High resolution threshold photoelectron spectra have been recorded and are interpreted applying a Franck-Condon model. Dissociative ionization mass spectra as a function of the parent ion internal energy are analyzed with the use of breakdown diagrams.

Reaction rate and isomer-specific product branching ratios of C2H + C4H8: 1-butene, cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene, and isobutene at 79 K.

The reactions of C2H radicals with C4H8 isomers 1-butene, cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene, and isobutene are studied by laser photolysis-vacuum ultraviolet mass spectrometry in a Laval nozzle expansion at 79 K. Bimolecular-reaction rate constants are obtained by measuring the formation rate of the reaction product species as a function of the reactant density under pseudo-first-order conditions. The rate constants are (1.