Effect of nitrogen-containing substituents on fragmentation of perylene derivatives under laser irradiation

Abstract

The effect of nitrogen-containing substituents such as phenyl imide and actyl imide on the character of fragmentation of perylene derivative molecules under laser irradiation has been studied by laser desorption (LD) mass spectrometry. Replacement of the central oxygen atom by a nitrogen atom in anhydride carboxy groups in perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) molecule results in the suppression of CO2 desorption and predominant desorption of CO. The LD mass spectrum exhibits peaks that correspond to fragments of the perylene nucleus and those of the aromatic and aliphatic substituents. Intact PTCDA molecules are present in the desorbed flux in insignificant amounts.