Femtosecond ionization and dissociation of laser desorbed nitro-PAHs
- Tasker, A.D.
- Robson, L.
- Ledingham, K.W.D.
- McCanny, T.
- McKenna, P.
- Kosmidis, C.
- Jaroszynski, D.A.
DOIAbstract
Mass spectra of six nitro-PAHs, 5-nitroacenaphthene, 9-nitroanthracene, I -nitropyrene, 3-nitrofluoranthene, 6-nitrochrysene, and 3-nitrobenzanthrone, have been investigated using laser desorption/femtosecond laser mass spectrometry (LD/FLMS). A prominent parent ion was observed for each molecule along with the structurally-characteristic [M - NO](+) and [M - NO2](+) fragments. The consistent observation of the [M - NO](+) and [M - NO - CO](+) ions, in the mass spectra of all the nitro-PAHs, along with the presence of certain doubly charged fragments, is thought to be indicative of a molecular rearrangement. Although this photorearrangement may be occurring within the pulse duration (<80 fs), it is thought that it is more likely to be takin...