A multiphoton ionization study of acetone using time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Abstract

The 3p Rydberg states of acetone and photodissociation of the acetone cation were studied using time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. The 3p Rydberg state spectroscopy of acetone was investigated with linearly polarized two-photon resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) from 320 to 337 nm. Several new transition bands were observed in the spectra. In addition to the CH3COCH3 + ion, CH3CO+ and CH3 + fragments were observed. The laser power dependences suggest that the CH3COCH3 +, CH3CO+ and CH3 + ions are produced in three-, four-, and four-photon processes, respectively. Production of CH3CO+ and CH3 +involves excitation of the ground state acetone cation by an additional photon and subsequent decomposition of the excited acetone ion. The average translational energies of CH3CO+ and CH3 + from dissociation in CH3COCH3 +(X) + hv → CH3CO+ + CH3 and CH3COCH3 +(X) + hv → CH3 + + CH3CO, respectively, were derived from the ion TOF peak profiles.