Combined gas electron diffraction and mass spectrometric experimental setup at Bielefeld University.

We have designed and constructed a combined experimental setup for synchronous measurements of electron diffraction patterns and mass-spectra of gas samples. Test measurements have been performed for acetic acid at two temperatures, 296 K and 457 K. Electron diffraction data have been analyzed taking into account mass spectra measured in the same experiments. From the diffraction intensities, molecular structures and mole fractions of the acetic acid monomer and dimer have been refined. The obtained results demonstrate the importance of measuring mass spectra in gas electron diffraction experiments. In particular, it is possible to detect the sample decomposition, which can be used for the optimization of experimental conditions and for the data interpretation. The length of the hydrogen bond in the acetic acid dimer determined in this work, r(O⋯H) = 1.657(9) Å, is in good agreement with modern theoretical predictions. We recommend measuring the diffraction patterns of acetic acid for the calibration of the sample pressure in the diffraction volume.