Investigation of fragmentation processes following core photoionization of organometallic molecules in the vapor phase

Abstract

Ionic fragmentation processes following ( n − 1)d core level photoionization of organometallic molecules have been studied in the vapor phase using synchrotron radiation. Results on tetramethyllead, tetramethyltin and tetramethylgermanium are reported. The threshold electron spectra and the photoionization efficiency curves of these molecules are presented and discussed. It is concluded that the ( n − 1)d 9 core-hole state of M(CH 3) 4 (M  Pb, Sn or Ge) is split into five sublevels owing to both the spin-orbi and the electrostatic perturbations by the methyl groups, and that the M + ions are predominantly produced following ( n − 1)d photoionization.