Single photon ionization of methyl isocyanide and the subsequent unimolecular decomposition of its cation: experiment and theory.

Methyl isocyanide, CH3NC, is a key compound in astrochemistry and astrobiology. A combined theoretical and experimental investigation of the single photon ionization of gas phase methyl isocyanide and its fragmentation pathways is presented. Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) synchrotron radiation based experiments are used to measure the threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence (TPEPICO) spectra between 10.

Photoionization and dissociative photoionization of propynal in the gas phase: theory and experiment.

Propynal (HCCCHO) is a complex organic compound (COM) of astrochemical and astrobiological interest. We present a combined theoretical and experimental investigation on the single photon ionization of gas-phase propynal, in the 10 to 15.75 eV energy range.

VUV photoionization and dissociative photoionization of the prebiotic molecule acetyl cyanide: theory and experiment.

The present combined theoretical and experimental investigation concerns the single photoionization of gas-phase acetyl cyanide and the fragmentation pathways of the resulting cation. Acetyl cyanide (AC) is inspired from both the chemistry of cyanoacetylene and the Strecker reaction which are thought to be at the origin of medium sized prebiotic molecules in the interstellar medium. AC can be formed by reaction from cyanoacetylene and water but also from acetaldehyde and HCN or the corresponding radicals.

Ionization photophysics and spectroscopy of cyanoacetylene.

Photoionization of cyanoacetylene was studied using synchrotron radiation over the non-dissociative ionization excitation range 11-15.6 eV, with photoelectron-photoion coincidence techniques. The absolute ionization cross-section and spectroscopic aspects of the parent ion were recorded.

Ionization photophysics and spectroscopy of dicyanoacetylene.

Photoionization of dicyanoacetylene was studied using synchrotron radiation over the excitation range 8-25 eV, with photoelectron-photoion coincidence techniques. The absolute ionization cross-section and detailed spectroscopic aspects of the parent ion were recorded. The adiabatic ionization energy of dicyanoacetylene was measured as 11.