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Photoionization of CH/sub 3/OH, CD/sub 3/OH, and CH/sub 3/OD: Dissociative ionization mechanisms and ionic structures

Journal Article · · J. Chem. Phys.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6920344
The molecules CH/sub 3/OH, CD/sub 3/OH, and CH/sub 3/OD have been investigated by photoionization mass spectrometry from the onset of dissociative ionization to 20 eV. The process forming methyl ion and hydroxyl radical is shown to be direct, rather than statistical. Near threshold, the process involving molecular hydrogen elimination is shown to lead to the structure HCOH/sup +/, rather than H/sub 2/CO/sup +/. Removal of an H atom leads predominantly to CH/sub 2/OH/sup +/, although some evidence exists for a CH/sub 3/O/sup +/ structure at higher energy. Similarly, the structure HCO/sup +/ is seen to be much more prevalent than COH/sup +/, but the latter may be formed with increasing probability at higher energy. Some astrophysical implications regarding the formation of CH/sub 2/O in dense interstellar clouds are discussed.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439
OSTI ID:
6920344
Journal Information:
J. Chem. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Chem. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 69:7; ISSN JCPSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English